Eve Lambert awakened to a wonderful smell filling the bedroom as she stretched out underneath the thick comforter. She opened her eyes and glanced out at the warm sunlight flooding through the window and letting out a yawn when she heard some clanging in the hallway. 

''Chris are you alright?'' Eve questioned hearing the noise grow louder. 

''Yeah, I'm fine.'' Chris assured walking into the bedroom with a tray in his hands. ''I just tripped over the box in the hall.'' ''I'm sorry, I knew that I should've moved that junk yesterday like I said I would.'' Eve apologized rolling over on her side as Chris made his way over to her. With a smile, she sat up looking at him. ''Can you ever find it in your heart to forgive me?'' ''I'll think about it.'' Chris replied leaning in for a kiss as he placed the tray on Eve's lap. 

''For you my lady.'' ''For me?'' she asked carefully eyeing the tray. 

''I thought that since it's been a while, that you might appreciate it if I made you breakfast in bed.'' he explained taking the lid off one of the plates to reveal sausage, eggs, and hash browns. 

''I hope that you're hungry.'' ''It looks fantastic and knowing what kind of cook you are, I'm sure that it tastes excellent too. 

What did I do to deserve this treatment?'' she asked reaching for her fork eager to dig in. 

''You loved me.'' Chris replied plopping down into bed next to her and propping himself up on his arms to watch her eat. ''Besides, I figured that you'd be hungry after last night's adventure.'' ''Hey, I'm not the one who needs more energy after last night.'' Eve pointed out remembering how Chris had fallen asleep as shortly after they'd received news on the break in back at the apartment. 

''Once we finished talking to the landlord about the current state of the apartment, you went to dreamland, remember?'' ''I promise you that this morning we can make up for it.'' Chris grinned tracing her shoulder with his index finger. ''I have some great ideas on how we can spend our morning.'' ''What about our trip back into Port Charles?'' Eve reminded him with a smile. 

''It sounded like everything was under control for the time being and I think a couple more hours here out of the real world would do us some good even if my father and Vivian are lurking in the shadows, but rest assured there is a lock on the bedroom door and I've already taken the liberty of using it so there will be no disturbances in the near future for us.'' Chris explained running his finger along her soft skin. ''Besides I think it's a perfectly healthy way for us to start our day right here together in this very spot before we get to deal with the likes of the Port Charles police department.'' ''Oh yeah?'' Eve questioned pushing her breakfast tray aside. ''And you feel confident you can come up with something to keep our minds off the real world for a while?'' ''Yeah '' Chris replied leaning over her as they slid down on the bed and Eve let out a soft laugh. 

Chris rolled over on Eve and the two began to kiss when suddenly a loud noise filled the room causing Chris to leap off of Eve. ''What was that?'' ''You moron.'' Eve laughed unable to contain her amusement as she began holding up the remote control. ''You just turned the television on.'' ''I hope it's not the only thing that I turned on.'' Chris commented with a smirk moving in towards Eve again. 

''Oh God,'' Eve muttered rolling her eyes at the suggestion. 

''Oh Eve, don't even act like I don't have some kind of cabalistic effect on you.'' Chris added giving her a long stare. 

''Well, perhaps it might be a little something that you do to me.'' Eve confessed not giving much. 

''A little something?'' Chris questioned raising an eyebrow. 

''Maybe it's a little more.'' Eve replied after a moment. 

''How much more?'' Chris asked moving in closer to her. 

''Why don't you come over here and find out?'' Eve suggested holding the remote control in the air and aiming to turn the television off. 

''With pleasure.'' Chris remarked lowering himself to kiss her. 

''And this morning in the news the residents of Port Charles are still in a buzz about the upcoming case of the people versus Ryan Chamberlain. What has become one of Port Charles most heated cases in history.........'' the newscaster began. 

''What the......?'' Eve began pulling away from Chris as she focused on the television. 

''Eve wait!'' Chris instructed taking the remote control from Eve as an image of Ryan flashed before them. 

''Give me that Chris.'' Eve replied snatching the remote again and turning up the volume. 

''Eve I don't think that now is the......'' Chris began in vain as she stared at the screen. 

''........and the question still remains about Ryan Chamberlain's actions as he posed as his brother for almost a year living out the life of his identical twin brother, Dr. Kevin Collins. The question remains whether his actions a result of an act of insanity or the calculated plans of a cold blooded murderer. Time will tell as the town of Port Charles prepares for what is predicted to be the trail of the century...'' the newscaster continued, ''.........residents are still in shock over the ruse that has been taken place over the past few months as the one time serial murderer has walked among the streets living out the life of Dr. Kevin Collins, the prominent Port Charles psychiatrist whose life has been turned upside down in this whirlwind of chaos...'' ''Oh my gosh,'' Eve gasped in horror as Chris sat beside her rigidly. 

''Eve you shouldn't be watching this tabloid nonsense.'' Chris pointed out watching her reactions carefully. ''You and I both know that by the time a story like this reaches this show, it's already been distorted a million times over. In fact why don't we turn this off?'' ''Chris I want to see this.'' Eve insisted watching the screen and feeling chills creep through out her. ''I can't believe that something like this could happen to Kevin and to think that his own brother could be so.....'' ''Questions still remain behind this awful tragedy and authorities are still waiting to question Dr. 

Evelyn Lambert, who during the course of this awful tragedy was held captive by the accused and for some reason unknown at this time is choosing to remain silent about her experience.'' the news report cut through her thoughts as Chris placed a hand on her shoulder. 

''What in the--?'' Eve questioned turning to Chris in confusion as the report continued. 

''Dr. Lambert has reportedly left town and is unavailable for comment at this time. There are questions still remaining about Dr. Lambert's involvement in this fiendish plot that rocked the city of Port Charles.'' the reporter finished shaking her head. ''The questions on what type of impact Dr. Lambert's testimony be this case still remain and sources say that she could play a key deciding factor in Ryan Chamberlain's future once she makes her statement........'' ''I can't believe this!'' Chris snapped shutting off the television and looking at Eve noticing the color drain from her face. ''Eve, say something. Eve?'' ''What is there to say? I think that pretty much spoke for itself Chris.'' Eve pointed out feeling her chest grow heavy as she drew in a breath. 

''This is ridiculous for them to put all this stuff on television like this without even considering what kind of impact it could have on anyone involved in this mess.'' Chris spoke up with a hint of anger reaching out to Eve. 

''Chris, this is a big case so of course the media is going to want to jump all over it.'' Eve reminded him softly as she looked at her hands clenched around the blanket. 

''I understand that, but it isn't fair that you have to get dragged into it like this. After everything that has happened to you with....'' Chris began hating that Eve had to find out this way. 

''Chris I remember.'' Eve spoke up softly trying to fight the raging emotions coming from within. 

''You remember?'' Chris repeated watching her eyes filled with a strange combination of emotions. 

''I'd been seeing flickers of it since I came home from the hospital, but I wasn't quite clear on what it was that bastard did to me until now.'' Eve explained feeling her jaw tighten at the thought as a chill ran through her. ''I remember everything he did to me that night when I went back to the lighthouse...'' ''Eve,'' Chris began reaching out to her, ''you shouldn't have to have this brought back up to you like this. Damn those people for plastering this all over the news. Ryan has done nothing but try to destroy his family and now the media is putting you in the hot seat about this when the man nearly killed you. Where's the justice in that?'' ''This is what you've been trying so hard to protect me from by bringing me here.'' Eve replied a everything dawned on her. ''You wanted to keep me away from this media mess.'' ''Damn right I did and when I find out who was behind that story, then I'm going to be sure to see to it that they get a word from me about......'' Chris started as Eve raised a hand to his lips. 

''Chris it doesn't matter anymore. I was bound to remember sooner or later.'' Eve reminded him quickly seeing the rage in his eyes. 

''You shouldn't have had to have it happen like this not when you're still recovering like this.'' Chris sighed in frustration as he touched her face. 

''Chris I'm not going to fall apart.'' Eve explained pressing her hand to his cheek. 

''I just didn't want you to relive this pain again.'' Chris informed her with tears in his eyes. 

''When I nearly lost you before it was as if someone had taken my heart out of my chest and stomped on it. Then to see you there so helpless and hurting, it damn near killed me Eve.'' ''Chris the pain I'm feeling right now is probably nothing in comparison to what Lucy must be feeling at this moment.'' Eve decided thinking about the year she'd spent with Ryan. ''To have her heart ripped out like that on her wedding day and to lose the man she loved because of some plan to ruin Kevin. God Chris I never would've wished that on anyone and had I known that my stopping that wedding would be a catalyst in all of this.....'' ''Eve, you were trying to do what you thought was right.'' Chris tried explaining to her. 

''Yeah and I ended up becoming part of one of the worst scandals in Port Charles.'' Eve replied in disgust. ''And poor Kevin....God only knows what happened to him after that day I stopped his wedding.'' ''I don't know exactly what happened that day when he left the church, but I know he's still alive Eve.'' Chris informed her briefly. ''That day you and I were at the cabin Tracie found him and after you left, she called me and we brought him back to Port Charles.'' ''Kevin's still alive? Oh thank God Ryan didn't get rid of him like he'd talked about that day he took me hostage.....'' Eve repeated with a sigh of relief when suddenly another thought dawned in on her. ''What about Tracie? How did she find him?'' ''Eve it's a long story, one that I promise we can get into later, but right now I'm more concerned about what this is doing to you.'' Chris confessed giving her hand a squeeze. 

''I'll be be okay Chris,'' Eve admitted closing her eyes for a moment. 

''Just to the thought of what Ryan did to everyone. He was just looking out for his own sick distorted fantasies. No matter what that man says about all of this, he was out for revenge and wanted to destroy Kevin and anyone else who crossed him one way or the other.'' Chris pointed out angrily thinking back to his confrontation with Ryan. ''I'm just grateful that I found him before he had a chance to destroy you.'' ''It's over now Chris.'' Eve spoke up softly feeling his hand upon her shoulder. 

''He's just such a hurtful person that can only bring harm to others by destroying anything and anyone in his path.'' Chris continued angrily realizing that she looked uncomfortable. ''I'm sorry Eve.'' ''It's okay Chris. I understand you need to get it out.'' she sighed trying not to think about her past. ''Let's just focus on something else right now.'' ''You're right Eve I can think of something that I'd like to focus on like just staying here with you and holding you in my arms.'' Chris said moving in towards her. 

''There's nothing that I'd like more right now.'' Eve confessed feeling his arms wrap around her as she sank into him. 

''I promise I'm never going to let him hurt you again Eve.'' Chris whispered pulling her close to him. 

''I can't let this go Chris.'' Eve admitted leaning into him. ''I can't just sit here and do nothing. We need to go back to Port Charles.'' ***************************************** 

Scott Baldwin rolled over letting out a groan as his head throbbed. His eyes focused on the world around him as he scanned the empty hotel room. Scratching his head, he pulled himself up into a sitting position and let out an exaggerated moan. 

''Where am I?'' Scott questioned trying not to think too hard as the previous evening flooded back to him. He brought his hands to his head running them through his frumpled hair as he looked around the room wondering how he'd gotten there. He noticed a piece of paper on the pillow next to him and picked it up to scan it over. 

''Scott sorry about taking off like this, but I have a very important meeting this morning and you looked like you could used a few more hours of shut eye before facing the day. Thanks for dinner last night. It was very eye opening. Charlie.'' Scott read aloud setting the page down in his lap as he thought about the woman he'd just met. Shaking his head, he took note of the time and realized he was late getting on over to the jail house. 

''Great,'' Scott grumbled under his breath as he stumbled out of bed taking note of his wrinkled appearance. Placing one of the mints from the counter top into his mouth, he left the hotel room not quite clear on what to do as he left for the jail house knowing what he must do. 

''I'm here to see my client Ryan Chamberlain,'' Scott explained to the officer on duty as he arrived at the jail house minutes later. 

''Right this way Mr. Baldwin. He's been expecting you.'' the officer explained leading Scott into the room Ryan had been waiting in. 

''What the hell happened to you?'' Ryan questioned taking note of Scott's appearance as Scott shot a glare in his direction. ''I hope that this isn't a new look for you because I have to tell you Scott, it doesn't work. Please don't say this was all for me Scott.'' ''Can it Ryan. I'm not here for a social visit.'' Scott ordered feeling the throbbing in his head as he took a seat across from Ryan. ''Let's just get down to business.'' ''Gee rough night?'' Ryan questioned looking at Scott carefully. ''Tell me Baldwin, by you being here, I'm assuming it's safe to say that you've taken my case.'' ''What choice did I have?'' Scott grumbled glaring at him. ''You've managed to tear my life apart beyond repair and now you've put me in a position to do nothing but help you out of this nightmare you've created.'' ''Ah, I knew you'd come around Scott. I knew you would for the sake of poor Lucy and her strong feelings for her Doc. Somehow I knew that you'd come to the rescue just to see to it that Lucy was happy and though I have to admit that I was eagerly anticipating this meeting between us for quite some time, you know that little lawyer client confidentiality relationship we'd have, it looks like things have changed. While I honestly couldn't wait to bring you in on this case because you wouldn't believe some of the wildly exciting stories I could tell you about Eve or even Lucy for that matter,'' Ryan began throwing out a verbal dagger as a frown crossed his lips, ''I'm afraid that things don't look as promising as I'd anticipated and well, I suppose that's just the way the cookie crumbles.'' ''Now what is that supposed to mean?'' Scott questioned raising his tone. ''The deal was I defend you and you give me the cure for Kevin. Don't tell me that you're going to even start jerking my chain about this because I swear Ryan I'll tear you to shreds if you even try double crossing me on this one.'' ''Now Scott we both know the weight of the deal we made with one another, but from the way I see it, a situation has arisen which makes it appear that you just aren't going to be my lawyer, so we have no deal.'' Ryan answered crossing his arms in front of his chest. 

''What do you mean we don't have a deal?'' Scott questioned blankly. ''You told me if I took on your case, you'd provide me with the information needed to help Kevin.'' ''Yes that was my intention, but after this morning's turn about, well it just looks like everything is off. Oh wait a second, judging by the look on your face I take it you haven't heard yet?'' Ryan replied in amusement shaking his head. ''You know Scott as an attorney, I have to admit that you should really be up on these things and not rely on me to give you all the information here.'' ''Spare me Ryan.'' Scott grumbled smacking the table. ''What's going on?'' ''Well apparently the court appointed psychiatrist I met with this morning doesn't feel you're fit for this case. We met for a while earlier and despite my words of praise about your legal abilities, my psychiatrist feels that it would be in my best interest to seek other methods of council.'' Ryan explained with a smirk. ''It's rather poetic, isn't it? You struggle with yourself trying to decide if you were ready to come to terms with the way things are and now that you're here, you can't be the one representing me.'' ''This has to be some kind of joke.'' Scott muttered feeling his anger rise. 

''Afraid not Baldwin. Looks like you've come up too little, too late.'' Ryan snickered leaning back in his seat. ''And I was so eager to have the two of us working together like this as comrades.'' ''Well, don't get too used to this just yet Ryan because the deal isn't off. I am taking this case and there's not a thing anyone can do about it especially not some shrink.'' Scott replied boldly standing up feeling his anger taking over. 

''Now that's the spirit! I knew that there was a reason why I chose you.'' Ryan commented watching Scott intently. ''You know, if you move quick, you might be able to catch up to the psychiatrist before she has a word with the judge and you could give her a piece of your mind to get things rolling.'' ''Damn right I will.'' Scott agreed letting his fury get the best of him. ''No one goes behind Scott Baldwin's back and tries to rip a case like this out of his hands.'' ''Excellent, then why don't you march on out there and tell Dr. Dubois exactly what you think about her decision to bump you off the case.'' Ryan suggested with a chuckle watching Scott signal for the guard to open the door. 

''I will be on this case Ryan and our deal is still on so you'd better get that cure ready for me.'' Scott explained stepping out into the hall. 

''Let the games begin.'' Ryan smirked bringing his arms out around his head as he leaned back in his seat. 

****************************************** 

Lucy entered the quiet living room to discover the sweet smells arising from the kitchen as she noticed Kevin sitting on the couch looking out onto the morning. Silently she walked around to him giving him a soft kiss on the back of the neck. 

''Good morning Doc,'' Lucy whispered in his ear realizing she'd caught him by surprise. 

''Good morning beautiful,'' Kevin replied tilting his back to look at her finding himself unable to keep his eyes or hands off of Lucy as he pulled her into his lap. With a smile, he reached out to her caressing her cheek. 

''I missed you earlier when I discovered you weren't beside me.'' she confessed leaning into his touch as their eyes met. 

''I'm sorry I just needed to think for a little while and I didn't want to disturb you.'' Kevin explained softly enjoying the feel of having her in his arms. 

''Well you should've because you know that I'm not able to have be at ease knowing that you've got something weighing on your mind,'' Lucy began taking note of the expression on his face, ''and don't try to tell me that you don't because I can see it in your eyes Kevin Collins. 

There's something lurking behind those dark handsome eyes of yours and despite that struggle you're having with yourself, it's just tearing at your insides begging to come out.'' ''You think know me so well, don't you?'' Kevin questioned looking into her. 

''Yes I do and sometimes I think that I might even know you better than you know yourself,'' Lucy confessed with a nod, ''so you may as well spill whatever it is that's on your mind before you leave me no choice but to beat it out of you.'' ''Violence? My Lucy, how could you even consider using such a tactic to get me to open up to you?'' Kevin questioned in mock horror as he eyed her skeptically. ''You wouldn't resort to such primal means to get me to spill all to you, now would you?'' ''Primal maybe, but as of now my means are not through violence.'' Lucy confessed with a devilish grin. 

''Really? Do I want to hear more about this?'' Kevin questioned in amusement. 

''Perhaps,'' Lucy smiled reaching out to him and drawing him in for an enticing kiss. With a smile, Lucy pulled back gazing into his deep brown eyes. ''How's that for starters?'' ''I think I could use a bit more warming up here to get me going.'' Kevin teased kissing her once again and igniting the passion that they had left over from the previous day together. 

''Then maybe you should fess up about what is going on in that complex mind of yours right now.'' Lucy suggested breathlessly after they'd parted from their kiss. 

''Oh I could tell you what's going on in my mind at this very moment, but I can assure you that the complexity of the situation is a whole other topic that would probably be best explained through a demonstration rather than through a drawn out verbal descriptive process.'' Kevin informed her seriously reaching out to her. 

''Doc I'm being serious.'' Lucy protested glaring at him for a moment. 

''So am I Lucy.'' Kevin insisted running his arms along her shoulders. ''Right now all I can think about is taking you in my arms and making love to you.'' ''Is that so?'' Lucy questioned raising an eyebrow. ''Well that wasn't really the answer I was searching for, but now that you've said that, it does have a nice ring to it. So that's all you really have on your mind?'' ''At this very instant it's consuming every inch of my body and raging through every synapse,'' Kevin confessed pulling her into his lap. 

''Then what--what on earth is stopping you?'' Lucy questioned feeling him sweep her into his arms as he turned to place her down on the soft ivory sofa. With a grin he lowered himself down to love her completely once more moving towards her as a smile crossed her swelled lips. He eagerly took her mouth in his as he tasted the sweet saltiness of her kisses. 

''I love you so much Doc.'' Lucy breathed hungrily accepting each one of Kevin's tender kisses. 

''Oh Lucy, you are my world.'' Kevin whispered gently nibbling on her ear as he felt her slender body molding against his. 

''Doc, I know this isn't the right time, but I was wondering when are Victor and Sigmund expecting us to be coming home?'' Lucy asked in between breaths as she began to unbutton Kevin's shirt. ''Just so I know how to pace myself for the rest of the day.'' ''Late.'' Kevin responded helping her slip out of her clothing. ''In fact, in a little while I should probably call Victor and tell him not to bother waiting up tonight since you and I have some more catching up to do here.'' ''Good idea.'' Lucy replied in a breathy tone as she began to devour his neck. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to lose herself to his charms when the phone rang. ''Speak of the devil, that's probably Victor calling us right now to tell us that the Sigmund wants us to come home immediately.'' ''Well Sigmund will just have to wait.'' Kevin insisted running his fingers through her thick hair as the phone continued to ring. 

''Doc, what if something's wrong? I mean what if Sigmund went out in the duck pond and ended up catching a chill or what if he was playing around in your study again and ended up swallowing one of those teeny tiny paper clips that have been known to be lurking around in the corner of the room. You know the ones that have been lingering around for months and we have no idea it's been there. I mean he could choke on it and then if anything happened to our baby....'' Lucy started frantically suddenly feeling herself struck with an overwhelming sense of panic. 

''Fine I'll get it.'' Kevin announced with a sigh extending his arm over the couch to pick up the phone and answer as his pulse raced. ''Hello,'' ''Monk, it's Victor.'' his familiar voice rang out through the phone. 

''Why Victor, Lucy and I were just talking about you.'' Kevin replied loudly indicating who was on the phone. 

''Ask him how Sigmund is doing.'' Lucy urged softly nudging him. 

''How's Sigmund?'' Kevin questioned rolling his eyes. 

''Uh, Sigmund's fine Monk. Actually I called to talk to you about.....'' Victor began. 

''Oh what is that Victor? He's just fine. Well that's good to hear.'' Kevin answered noticing the look of relief in Lucy's eyes. 

''Why yes Sigmund is doing just fine, but I was just calling to see how you were feeling this morning after the call I received last night.'' Victor explained to him. ''I was a bit worried when you ended our conversation like that and I was just wondering how you were doing.'' ''Oh I'm just.....'' Kevin began suddenly distracted as Lucy lowered herself on top of him and began to unzip his pants causing a reaction in him. Placing his hand over the mouthpiece of the phone, he whispered to her as a warning. ''Lucy not now. I'm on the phone.'' ''Try and stop me Doc. I dare you.'' Lucy shot back wickedly tugging at his pants. 

''Monk are you there?'' Victor questioned taking note of his silence on Kevin's end. 

''Um.......'' he coughed clearing his throat as he tried to keep his attention on the phone conversation as Lucy's hands worked their magic upon him. ''Uh-um.....wh.......what time were you expecting up to be coming back.......this uh, this afternoon because Lucy and I were, uh, thinking about, um staying around here for a while?'' ''Well, I hadn't really thought about it,'' Victor began hesitantly listening to his irregular breathing pattern, ''Monk are you sure everything is all right over there?'' ''Yeah Victor really I'm doing just......fine,'' Kevin managed to spit out as Lucy continued to tease him. 

''Well, then I'm glad to hear it Monk.'' Victor began in an awkward tone as he heard Lucy giggling in the background. ''I guess that I'll just talk to the two of you later tonight when you come on home. We can finish our conversation then.'' ''Okay, that sounds like a plan. Good-bye Victor.'' Kevin replied tossing the cordless phone across the room and reaching for Lucy. He instantly pulled her up to meet his gaze and he spoke. 

''You devil you!'' ''I just couldn't help myself.'' Lucy giggled as he playfully grabbed a hold of her and positioned her beneath him. 

''Now what are you going to do since I'm off the phone?'' he asked pinning her arms above her head. 

''I'm going to make love to you.'' She insisted pulling her mouth up to his. 

''Not yet.'' he insisted moving back from her kiss. ''It's my turn to fight back.'' Lucy closed her eyes and tried to control herself as Kevin began planting feathery kisses along her collar bone. With each kiss, the intensity began to build and she could feel Kevin's body heating up against hers as she longed to reach up and touch him, but she was unable to do so. She felt the pressure of his powerful hand holding her arms over her head and she began to grow restless as she realized that there was nothing more that she wanted to do than reach out to him. 

''Doc,'' she moaned urgently as he continued to explore her body, ''oh Doc.'' Without saying a word Kevin moved up to meet her lips as if on que and the two joined in a heated union of body, mind, and soul as they explored the heights of pleasure that burst within the two of them. 

****************************************************** 

''I want to speak to Dr. Dubois now!'' Scott yelled bursting through the front doors to of the medical building and darting towards the psychiatrist's office startling the secretary before him. 

''I'm afraid that you can't go in there right now sir.'' The secretary explained getting up from her desk and moving towards Scott. ''Dr. Dubois is a bit occupied at the moment with another patient. Sir....you can't go in there.'' ''The hell I can't!'' Scott grumbled pushing open the door to find a woman sitting on the couch across from the doctor's desk. 

''Sir,'' the secretary began signaling for the security guard to help her out. ''Sir please if you would try to remain calm, I'm sure we can get you some type of answer to whatever it is you're looking for and....'' ''I want to see Dr. Dubois now!'' Scott snapped back at her as he noticed the black leather chair across the room. 

''What is going on?'' the woman on the couch questioned obviously surprised by his intrusion as she noticed the crowd coming in. 

''Who the hell are you and what at in the world are you trying to pull on me?'' Scott questioned with a glare as the doctor turned around in her chair and he came face to face with his adversary on the case. ''You!'' ''Scott really I don't think this an appropriate display right now seeing as I have a patient here at the moment,'' Charlie began calmly nodding towards the woman. 

''I don't care Charlie.....or is that even your name?'' Scott questioned angrily. ''Just who do you think you are to pull that kind of stunt this morning on me?'' ''Stunt? I'd hardly consider going to see a patient of mine a stunt.'' Charlie replied standing up from her chair as the security guard entered the room. 

''Dr. Dubois would you like me to remove this man from the building?'' he asked moving towards Scott. 

''No Jerry, that won't be necessary.'' Charlie replied turning to her patient. ''Marie, I'm sorry about the intrusion, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to cancel our session for the afternoon, but if you talk to my secretary, I'm sure she'll be more than willing to schedule you another appointment in place of this one at a later date.'' ''All right Dr. Dubois.'' the woman replied shakily grabbing her purse and clenching it to her chest as she scurried towards the exit. Charlie followed her to the door closing it behind her as she turned to face Scott in a rage. 

''Just who the do you think you are bursting in here like that when I'm working with a patient?'' Charlie questioned placing her hands on her hips. ''You have no right to be here.'' ''No right?'' Scott repeated with obvious disdain. ''Woman you bamboozled your way into my life yesterday so that you could put your nose where it obviously doesn't belong.'' ''Bamboozled?'' Charlie questioned with a laugh. ''Ha, Scott you were already three sheets to the wind when I picked you up outside that bar, so don't even give me a lecture on how I bamboozled you into anything. You're just lucky I found you when I did.'' ''Yeah speaking of which, why don't you tell me the real reason why you found me since obviously it had nothing to do with passing through town and being stranded?'' Scott questioned angrily as she moved across the room. ''Come on I'm waiting to hear this one. Tell me was our meeting yesterday about Ryan Chamberlain's case or am I expected to believe that chance brought us together before you decided to go down to the jail house and attempt to rip this case away from me?'' ''You're not suited to defend that man.'' Charlie answered spinning around to face him. 

''Your emotional involvement in this case is too high and as a professional, I feel you're unfit to represent him.'' ''How would you know?'' Scott questioned stepping towards her. ''Who are you to decide what I can and cannot do professionally?'' ''After last night's display, I don't think it's safe for you to be out walking the streets let alone representing a man accused of kidnapping and murder among the various other charges along the way.'' Charlie answered flatly. ''You're too close to this case and how the courts appointed you to it, is beyond me.'' ''Well maybe it has to do with my abilities to get the job done right.'' Scott pointed out snapping at her. 

''I've seen your records Scott and I'm fully aware of what you're capable of.'' Charlie answered smugly. ''It's a wonder they even allow you to practice law in this state considering all you've done in the past with your clients.'' ''And just what is that supposed to mean?'' Scott questioned glaring at her. 

''Hmm.....well, I could go back to your brief period representing Julie Devlin in the General Homicide trials or perhaps I could even go back to the documented evidence you with held in the case due to the implications it had towards your ex-girlfriend, Eve Lambert, who I might add plays a very active role in this upcoming trial.'' ''My history with Eve has nothing to do with this trial and you know it.'' Scott pointed out clenching his fists. 

''Maybe not, but considering that your so called client nearly killed her not to mention held his brother, your ex-fiancee's lover, hostage for almost a year, I'd say that you have to be experiencing some underlying emotions of rage and anger, which I might add you aren't too good at suppressing especially when you're drunk.'' Charlie added bluntly as he stepped towards her. 

''Now you listen you. I don't know who you are or what your game is, but you have no right to come into town like this and start messing with my life or my clients like you did this morning.'' Scott warned closing the distance between them as he reached out to her grabbing her arm. ''You may think you know me and perhaps you may have been given a brief run down of my history, but I warn you history is nothing in comparison to the wrath you'll have to face if you continue to interfere in this case.'' ''Is that a threat?'' she questioned raising an eyebrow as she nodded towards his grip on her. 

''No that's a promise.'' Scott replied releasing her and moving towards the door. 

''Well Scott, that's not up for you to decide.'' Charlie called out to him feeling her heart pounding in her chest. ''It's up to the judge now.'' ''What?'' Scott questioned turning around to face her. 

''That's right. I called Judge Wilson this morning and as of Thursday things will be in order to have a formal review of the potential impact of your involvement in this case and until that meeting with Judge Wilson, I've seen to it that you're not to be permitted to come into contact with Mr. Chamberlain.'' Charlie added standing taller as he approached her once more. 

''You have no idea what you've just started or what you may have caused because of this little game of yours.'' Scott snapped at her angrily. 

''Oh I know exactly what I'm doing.'' Charlie replied standing her ground firmly meeting his gaze. 

''The hell you do.'' Scott huffed thinking of how this woman had transformed so completely in the brief time he'd known her. Last night he'd almost felt a connection with her, yet here in less than twenty four hours he wanted nothing more than to strangle this woman for her lack of insight on what was best for everyone involved in this case. He inched towards her not quite clear on what he would do to her as their eyes met. 

''Oh I have some idea Scott.'' Charlie answered in a low tone as he reached out to her grabbing her boldly. She looked up at him remembering his drunken kiss as he inched towards her eyes seething with a strange combination of passion and rage. She pursed her lips slightly trying not to reveal too much as they stood a mere breath apart from one another in this silent staring match. 

With a groan, Scott stepped back shaking off whatever had just overcome him. ''This is war.'' ''I'm fully aware of that and ready to fight.'' Charlie explained taking a step back and clearing her throat. 

''Yeah well don't bank on winning because this is one battle you're going to lose.'' Scott snapped spinning around and darting out of the room slamming the door behind him and causing a picture to fall off of the wall. 

********************************************** 

Eve Lambert leaned back in the passenger seat of Chris' car thinking about everything that had just come back to her after her short period of ignorance. She turned to Chris seeing the same expression on his face that he'd had when she finally awakened from her brief disenchantment. 

She tried to dismiss her thoughts of her time with Ryan Chamberlain, but with each mile they moved closer to returning to Port Charles she knew there would be no more hiding or avoiding what the truth was. 

''Eve I just wish you'd reconsider this idea of yours about coming back to Port Charles with me. 

It's not too late for me to turn this car back around towards the cabin you know. In fact while my father isn't exactly the best company in the world, perhaps you'd be better off just spending time with him and Vivian at least until I'm certain things are under control back home.'' Chris started casting a glance in her direction as the beams from the car in the other lane flashed by them. 

''Eve, please say something.'' ''What is there to say Chris?'' Eve questioned rubbing her arms feeling a slight chill in the car. ''I need to go back with you and my knowing the truth isn't going to change that. Sooner or later I have to return to Port Charles again and face the reality of the situation.'' ''Eve it's just that I don't want you to have to go through any of the agony over again when.....'' Chris began seeing she was lost in her thoughts. 

''Chris this was my mess...one that I created and I'm not going to sit back and hide from it anymore.'' Eve answered abruptly cutting him off as she looked over at him. ''I'm sorry. I don't mean to snap at you and don't think that I don't appreciate what you're doing for me, but it's time for me to own up to my own mistakes. I was the one who chose to blindly get involved with Ryan Chamberlain in the first place and it's about time I faced the reality of that.'' ''But Eve you don't have to yet.'' Chris insisted hating the idea of having her back in Port Charles. 

''Yes I do Chris.'' Eve nodded looking out the window at the rising sun. ''If I hadn't burst in on Kevin and Lucy's wedding that day, then none of this would've ever happened. If only I could've waited for a more discreet moment to confront Lucy about what she'd done to my car, but no, I couldn't just hold off because I wanted her to look like the witch I thought she was for tearing Scott and I apart.'' ''Eve you were trying to protect Kevin,'' Chris explained thinking back for a moment, ''and while I didn't think it was the greatest idea and still don't, it was what you felt you should do.'' ''Well I was wrong and because of my spite and fury, I helped a serial killer destroy the lives of many innocent people.'' Eve replied sadly thinking of her last encounter with Ryan at the warehouse. ''He was so proud of himself you know. The way he boasted about what he'd done to everyone and how he kept saying we were going to be together forever because he saw to it....'' ''Eve, you don't have to discuss this right now.'' Chris spoke up hearing the shakiness in her voice as she spoke. ''We can just let this go for a while if it'll make things better.'' ''Chris just the fact that I allowed myself to become a pawn in his quest for revenge burns me to the core and I swear from this moment on, I'm not going to sit back and just play the victim.'' Eve replied feeling a fire burn deep in her soul as she remembered Ryan's attack on her at the lighthouse after she called things off. ''I've done that long enough and I refuse to let him or anyone else play me for a fool any longer.'' ''Eve listen I know that you're feeling a mixture of things right now, but the last thing you need to be doing is getting yourself so worked up about this.'' Chris explained seeing a fire in her eyes that hadn't been present in a long time. As he cast a quick glance over in her direction he saw shadows of the Eve he'd fallen in love with so long ago. ''Just what are you planning on doing?'' ''I'm going to see to it that Ryan pays for all he's done and I'm going to do my best to make up for the role I played in all of this.'' Eve answered boldly clenching her fists and trying to dismiss the foolishness she'd been feeling from the moment the truth started to sink in. 

******************************************* 

''Doc, that was fantastic.'' Lucy whispered moments later as they held onto each other tightly, falling back with exhaustion as he held her in his arms. 

''I love you so much.'' Kevin said feeling the heat of her touch against her own sweat soaked body. 

''I love you too Doc.'' Lucy replied feeling tiny beads of perspiration upon her temple. 

''This feels so perfect.'' Kevin breathed feeling her resting against him and enjoying their tender moment together. 

''Everything is perfect when we are together Doc and nothing will ever change that.'' Lucy replied feeling him gently stroking the curve of her silky smooth back with his index finger. 

After a few minutes of holding each other, Lucy looked up at Kevin with a mischievous grin and without saying a word Kevin brought her up to him as they shared a soft kiss that slowly began to develop into something much stronger causing the two of them to become increasingly excited once more as the telephone rang. 

''Ugh.'' Kevin sighed breaking their heated kiss as the phone continued to break through the silence. ''What timing.'' ''Go figure. It's just something about the universe telling us not to push it I suppose.'' Lucy laughed watching him look at her in frustration as she touched the left side of his face. 

''Maybe you'd better answer that just in case something came up at the lighthouse.'' ''Despite my overwhelming need to protest, I think you're right. We'd better not chance it just yet. Now if I can only find where I tossed that phone.'' he agreed getting up and walking across the room towards the phone leaving Lucy to admire the fascinating view he had to offer from his backside. ''Hello, this better be important.'' Lucy slid down on the couch and grabbed one of the pillows and held it in her arms as she watched Kevin talking on the telephone. She thought of how the two of them had gone through so many things to get to this point together. She glanced down at the pillow in her hands and a smile crossed her lips as she realized that her dream of sharing their lives together had finally become a reality and nothing was going to keep them from being a happy family ever again. 

Lucy squeezed the pillow and looked back up at Kevin. She noticed that he seemed to stiffen in his stance as he remained silent. She wondered what was going on and she sat up straighter as she watched Kevin hanging up the phone as a dark expression crossed his features. She noticed that his face had turned a pale shade of white when he turned around to face her again. 

''Doc, what's wrong?'' she asked concerned by his sudden mood shift as he slumped over by the table. ''Who was it?'' ''It was Chip Taylor from the Port Charles Tribune. He wanted to know what my feelings are about Ryan's upcoming trial.'' he explained watching her sit up straighter as he realized there was no longer any escaping the truth. ''This isn't just going to go away Lucy.'' ''I know Doc,'' Lucy replied wrapping her arms around him as he sank into the couch. 

''Maybe you and I should talk about this.'' ''What more is there to say?'' Kevin questioned blankly burying his head in his hands. 

''Tell me about it Doc. Tell me about that dark and gloomy place you're being sucked back into every time you're asleep.'' Lucy began squeezing his shoulders gently. ''I want to know what it's like in that dark world you're keeping from me.'' ''No Lucy, you don't.'' Kevin replied shaking his head lightly. ''No one should have to experience these feelings I have inside of me. Not now, not ever.'' ''Doc please let me in. It's the only way you're ever going to be free from this hell you're sinking into.'' Lucy urged touching his cheek lightly and forcing him to look at her. ''Kevin please.....'' ''Lucy it's not something you want to know about.'' Kevin explained getting up off of the sofa and crossing the room. ''All those months of being locked away, the things that I endured, the horror and fear that I experienced when I thought that I'd never be able to see you again, and then to finally find a way back to you only to end up....'' ''To end up what Doc?'' Lucy questioned watching him drift away from her. ''Doc talk to me.'' ''I just keep thinking about that night.........'' Kevin trailed off pressing his fingers up against the cool glass of the doorwall. 

''The night you escaped?'' Lucy questioned watching him sink into the darkness that had been surrounding him. 

''Everything just seemed so rushed as if it was it was now or never when I made my move. 

I'd thought about it at least a million times, but never before had freedom felt so close. I knew that if I didn't act fast, I'd surely die in that horrible place and never see you again. I can still hear the clicking of the footsteps down the corridor that day. The rapping of the shoes tapping up against the cold marble floor. That and the combination of the leaky pipes overhead would be enough to drive you insane and for the most part nothing seemed out of the ordinary, yet everything was so different and I knew...'' ''Knew what Kevin?'' Lucy questioned moving towards him. 

''I knew that if I didn't make my move he would've killed me. That doctor working for Ryan would've killed me and Ryan would've won. I never would've been able to see you again and I was so desperate you understand. When you're in that type of situation you're in touch with those primal instincts the ones that you bury so deep inside of you that to admit they are there is enough to take you over the edge and for so long I'd fought myself to suppress them, but when it came down to the moment of truth, they were there raging from within.....'' Kevin explained feeling his breath shorten at the thought. ''They were there again and there was nothing I could do to keep them from coming out.....'' ''Kevin what happened?'' Lucy asked watching him sink to the floor. ''Doc, please let me know what happened that night.'' ''I knew the moment I heard those footsteps that I was going to do it. I was about to become everything that I'd worked so hard to keep from being. I was going to throw morality away once and for all allowing myself to slip into the cauldron of hate and rage that had been brewing inside of me from the moment my life ceased to be my own any longer.'' Kevin explained staring off into space as the memory flashed back to him. ''I remember the look on his face when I'd caught him off guard. He seemed so helpless and almost saddened with what he'd been doing to me all those months, but I was determined and nothing would change what I needed to do...'' ''What did you do Doc?'' Lucy questioned noticing his hands tremble as he pulled his legs to his chest. Reaching for a blanket on the sofa, she moved in beside him and covered him knowing that whatever was eating at him was the cause of this chill that had overtaken his body. 

''I was determined to take a life in order to gain mine back.'' Kevin explained choked up as his eyes filled with tears. ''I wasn't going to allow myself to be victimized any longer and as I held that scalpel to his throat I knew that I had it in me. I knew that killer instinct was very much alive and I could smell the scent of death in the air inviting me in as his life hung by a thread. I knew in that instant that with a flick of a wrist, it would be over for that man, that all of his hopes and dreams would be cut short because of me and in that moment I felt the ultimate power and the ultimate terror. I knew in that instant that I was capable of anything even murder.'' ''Oh Kevin,'' Lucy gasped sensing that he was losing touch with reality as he clenched his head in his hands. ''Stay with me Kevin.'' ''I can feel his voice filled with sheer terror Lucy as I informed him of my intentions and how I wouldn't allow him or Ryan to destroy my life any longer. Everything I'd been feeling: hatred, rage, animosity, depression, anxiety, dispair, it all meshed into one thick, powerful emotion and I was like a time bomb ready to explode. It was there underneath the surface just waiting for that instant when it would rip through my body and all my vengeance took control. I wanted to kill him Lucy. I wanted him to see what it felt like to have everything taken from him when he wasn't expecting it....to show him what it was like to have someone show him all he stood to lose and make him see the value of his life only to take it away from him. I wanted him to hurt like I did Lucy and just when I thought I'd snapped, he did something that awakened me.'' ''What did he do?'' Lucy asked almost afraid to breath as Kevin turned to face her with tears in his eyes. 

''He cried. He stood there before me and cried about what he'd done and how he'd never intended on being a part of it all. He explained to me that Ryan had paid him to slowly poison me and how he'd come to terms with what he'd done. He wasn't begging for his life like you'd imagine he was. 

In fact he was begging me to take him away from the nightmare he'd sunken himself into, almost daring me to kill him and end the madness.'' Kevin explained trembling as emotions rocked through his body. 

''So you didn't kill him Doc?'' Lucy spoke up after a long moment of silence. 

''No, I wanted to, I was so ready to, but I didn't.'' Kevin explained feeling hot tears burn in his eyes. ''I came so close, but in that deciding moment, I didn't go through with it.'' ''I knew you wouldn't do something like that.'' Lucy replied touching his face and wiping a tear from his cheek. 

''Lucy, you don't understand. This isn't about what I did or didn't do. It's about the fact that I was capable of it.'' Kevin explained shaking his head in frustration. ''Lucy I came so close to taking a life in my quest to regain control.'' ''But you didn't Kevin and that's all that matters.'' Lucy informed him pointedly. ''In that deciding moment, you chose to do the right thing and you followed your heart.'' ''My heart was telling me that this man deserved to suffer for the pain he'd inflicted on me and even now with the poison running through my veins, I can't help but think about my escape.'' Kevin informed her meeting her gaze. ''Lucy, I'm afraid that once I come to terms with the reality of our situation and I come face to face with Ryan again, then all those emotions will come raging through and this time I won't be able to control myself and I'll slip back into the dark side. 

I'm afraid that the next time the feeling takes over, I won't be able to hold back and I'll go through with it.'' ''No Doc, you won't ever do that. I won't let you.'' Lucy explained reaching out and holding him close to her as tears fell from his eyes. ''I won't ever let you slip away again.'' ''Oh Lucy, how I wish that were possible.'' Kevin replied sobbed unable to contain himself a moment longer. 

''Doc it is true and I promise you that whatever happens once we get back to Port Charles, nothing is going to change that.'' Lucy informed him solemnly holding him closer to her. 

''You're here with me now Doc and I won't ever let anything destroy you again.'' ''It's not in your hands Lucy.'' Kevin explained sadly wrapping his arms around her as he felt a heaviness in his chest. 

''Of course it's in our hands Doc.'' Lucy replied feeling her own eyes fill with tears. ''You and I are not going to think pessimistic about this and I can tell you from experience that the universe would not let us down at such an important time in our lives. Fate has pulled us back together and nothing is ever going to tear us apart again. Nothing! Do you hear me?'' ''Lucy, there's more to this than I've told you,'' Kevin began feeling a scratchiness building in his throat as he began to cough violently. 

''Doc?'' Lucy questioned as his coughs deepened. She pulled back watching him gasp for air. 

''Oh Doc.'' ''My pills Lucy.'' Kevin spoke up in between coughs holding his chest. 

''Of course.'' Lucy nodded moving across the room searching it frantically. ''Where are they?'' ''On top of the dresser.'' Kevin explained unable to fight the choking sensation as she fled into the other room returning moments later with his pills and a glass of water. 

''Here you are Doc.'' Lucy said handing over a couple of pills to him as Kevin pulled the bottle out of her hand pouring four into his hand before swallowing them. 

''Doc what are you doing? The directions say take only two as needed.'' Lucy informed him reaching for the bottle in a panic as his coughing subsided. ''Doc, what on earth do you think you're doing?'' ''Lucy,'' Kevin began gasping for air. 

''That's it Kevin. I'm calling Ellen right now and I'm having her come up here to check on you right this instant to make sure that you're going to be okay.'' Lucy explained moving towards the phone. 

''Lucy wait!'' Kevin urged feeling himself slowly returning to normal. 

''No Doc, this has gone on too long and I'm not going to sit back and watch you tear yourself apart like this when obviously the emotional stress along with your adverse reaction to this silly medication Ellen has given to you that is taking it's toll on you.'' Lucy explained dialing a couple numbers. 

''Lucy it's not the medication.'' Kevin explained drawing in a breath. ''Please hang up the phone.'' ''Doc,'' Lucy began looking at him. 

''Hang up the phone!'' Kevin ordered in a hollow, piercing tone startling her. 

''Doc, what's going on with you?'' Lucy questioned in bewilderment. ''You nearly choke to death and now you don't want any help. What gives?'' ''Lucy,'' Kevin began taking a breath, ''Lucy there's no sense in calling Ellen.'' ''What do you mean there's no sense in calling Ellen? She needs to know that you've taken twice your dosage not to mention the fact that you were sick all night because of the medication....'' Lucy began in a frenzy. ''You know Doc, it's not a good sign when the very thing that's supposed to make you feel better ends up making you feel even worse. There had to be some kind of mix- up at the hospital and.....'' ''Lucy I'm dying.'' Kevin blurted out unable to keep it in a moment longer. ''The awful truth is that I'm dying and there isn't anything Ellen or anyone else can do about it.'' .......... 

Chapter 17
''What are you talking about Kevin?'' Lucy asked confused by his sudden declaration. 
''I'm dying Lucy and there isn't a damn thing anyone can do about it.'' Kevin repeated overcome with a feeling of sorrow as he sat on the floor staring up into her eyes. 

''Doc, that's not funny.'' Lucy began still holding the phone in hand as she looked at him. 

''It's not amusing at all to hear you say that. I can't believe you'd even speak a word like that. Take it back.'' ''I can't take it back Lucy,'' Kevin answered despairingly, ''It's the truth.'' ''No Kevin,'' Lucy replied shaking her head as she noticed his gaze shift to the floor, ''this isn't even something you should joke about.....not at a time like this.'' ''Lucy I'm not joking,'' Kevin explained meeting her gaze as the hot tears filled his eyes, ''I'm dying Lucy and there's nothing that anyone can do to stop my body from it's inner decay. Believe me, Ellen tried, but we were too late to stop the damage that was done.'' ''No, no, no!'' Lucy shouted throwing down the phone and pressing her hands to her head covering her ears. ''I refuse to listen to such nonsense.'' ''Lucy it's the truth.'' Kevin explained honestly feeling his heart break in two as she turned away from him shaking her head in disbelief. 

''No Kevin Collins! You are not dying on me. Do you hear that?'' Lucy questioned angrily clenching her fists tightly. ''I'm not going to stand here and listen to you say something so absurd after the enjoyable morning we've just spent here together making love and holding one another like we did. Doc this morning when I was in your arms we were both very much alive and to have you tell me something like this now when we finally have a chance at finding true happiness....'' ''Lucy please,'' Kevin began watching her slump over on the side arm of the couch burying her head in her hands and sobbing. He pulled himself up off of the floor and approached her slowly not quite sure on what to say as she sat before him crying. ''I didn't want you to find out like this and believe me if I could've kept this from you, I would've.'' ''How Kevin?'' Lucy questioned looking up at him for a moment as their eyes met. 

''Lucy I wasn't even suppose to make it this long.'' Kevin continued painfully feeling his throat hoarse as he spoke. ''Ryan had been slowly poisoning me since our wedding day and his final plan was to eliminate me after he managed to seduce you right before my eyes to prove to me that he could have it all. That he could take my life and make it his without anyone knowing otherwise, and the horrible truth is in his own way, he won.'' ''No, no Kevin. He didn't win and we won't let him win.'' Lucy insisted shaking her head again. ''Ryan can't take away what we have and I refuse to let him try again. I just know that together we can overcome this and find our way back to good times.'' ''Lucy I wish it was that easy, but it's not.'' Kevin explained tearfully watching her move away from him. 

''Doc, you're being impossible and I don't like it one bit. I realize that your still not on your feet just yet especially after everything you went through in that horrible, horrible place, but you will get stronger soon and when that time comes, the last thing you will need to be doing is going around with a gloomy attitude like that.'' she announced surprised by his behavior. ''Honestly, what's come over you?'' ''Lucy, I had a long talk with Victor last night and my whole life started flashing before me.'' he explained to her seeing her inner fight to block out what he was saying. 

''Everything from the time I was a small child growing up to our wedding day. I saw everything that at one point in my life held relevance and things came to me clearer than they had in a long time. I thought of you, our love, the way we were supposed to make it happen for us. In those short moments alone, I saw our lives and dreams so close to me, then without a warning I felt them being snatched away from me and I saw what was ahead of me. I know what kind of impact this is going to have on us and I hate that there's nothing I can do to keep from hurting you, but I can't keep you in the dark about this any longer no matter how badly I'd like to.'' ''But Doc I thought that we agreed not to let Ryan or anyone else get in between us again. 

We both agreed that we were going to finally have our forever together and never have a thing to worry about again. We were going to make you stronger and take our time getting you back on your feet again. Remember you, Sigmund and I were supposed to live happily ever after at the lighthouse with lots of little babies running around...our babies and we were going to grow old together--you and me. Please Doc, tell me this is some kind of mistake.'' Lucy began to plead with him as she stood up and crossed the room. ''I refuse to believe this. You and I went through too much for too long to end up like this. Fate wouldn't pull such a nasty trick on us like this Kevin Collins and I want you to be honest with me right now. Tell me that you don't mean this and that we can go back to the way we were this morning wrapped up in one another and happy.'' ''Lucy, it's the truth. Ellen tried her best, but she wasn't able to reverse the after effects of the poisoning Ryan used.'' Kevin continued sadly drawing in a breath. ''The DL-56 quit working the day you brought me into the hospital after I'd passed out at the lighthouse and I just didn't want to tell you after everything that we've been through over the past year apart from one another. All I could think about was coming home to you again and being with you. I couldn't bear the thought of losing you again and when Ellen told me about my condition, I wanted to keep it from you, to protect you from whatever this would bring.'' ''Oh Doc,'' Lucy began unable to hold back as the tears rushed down her face, ''why? What did we do to deserve this? Is this because I wasn't in tune enough with the universe to feel you calling out to me crying out for help? If only I could've found a way to get to you....to come to you like you needed me to all those months ago, then we wouldn't be here now like this and I wouldn't be losing you.'' ''Lucy,'' Kevin started moving towards her and pulling her into an embrace as his own eyes flooded with tears. 

''After all those nights of wanting you and praying to have you with me again, why oh why would you be taken away from me Kevin? All I've ever wanted was to spend my life with you, growing old with you and becoming Dr. Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Collins.'' Lucy sobbed holding onto him tightly. ''I know I made some horrible mistakes in the past and if I could take them all back, then lord knows I would if it meant that I could have you...that you could stay with me. I'd trade my life just to have you, to be able to spend eternity in this moment holding you and never letting go.'' ''Lucy I thank God that I've been given this time with you and we can't lose site of that.'' Kevin replied feeling her warm tears on his skin as he gazed down at her wiping her face. 

''We can't lose what we have right here, right now.'' ''But Kevin what's the point in it all if in the end I can't have you?'' Lucy questioned choked up on emotion as she felt his touch upon her skin. ''Being with you is the one thing in my life that I've truly wanted with my whole heart. All I could ask for is for us to be together having a family together.'' ''Lucy you don't know how badly I wanted to give you all of that, but....'' Kevin trailed off trying to dismiss the thought as he pressed his lips to hers in a kiss. ''We can't think about that. We need to focus on the time we have together and as long as we hold onto these feelings we have for one another and the love that we share, then nothing will take away what we have together. While our time may be limited, I want to spend as much of my energy being with you and giving you everything that I can while I'm still here.'' ''What's the point in giving me everything when the one thing I truly want is forever with you?'' Lucy questioned sadly feeling the saltiness of his kiss on her lips. 

''Lucy I want to give you an eternity of memories and promises of forever, but unfortunately all I can give you is this brief period of time that I have left.'' Kevin explained pulling her close to him. ''While my heart wants nothing more than to stay forever, I know that my time is limited, but that doesn't mean we're going to stop short of sharing memories together.'' ''Doc I'm going to see to it that we do as much as we can in this time we have left.'' Lucy replied standing taller. ''I'm going to show you the world the way it should've been for us a long time ago while doing my best to rid us of all the demons of the past.'' ''Lucy despite all the horrors and demons we've had to face on this road back to one another, there's one, bright, shining moment that I'll cherish forever and take with me to wherever it is that I'm meant to go after this lifetime and that's finding you.'' Kevin explained caressing her cheek. ''The day you walked into my life is that day I awakened and came alive and that is something that I'll never lose. Loving you has made everything I've endured worth living and if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing as long as it meant that I'd be able to hold you in my arms in this moment you just like this being able to feel the love between us like I do right now.'' ''Doc I love you,'' Lucy spoke earnestly realizing that this time it held more importance than it ever had before as she clung to him. 

''I love you too Lucy and I want to spend the rest of my life proving to you just how much you mean to me.'' Kevin replied softly wanting to grab a hold of all the sensations and feelings he'd experienced being with Lucy. 

--------------- 

Charlie entered her darkened hotel suite and tossed her keys onto the dresser top closing the door behind her. Making her way into the room, she noticed the blankets still torn apart from Scott's drunken slumber in her room. 

''Go figure,'' she mumbled crossing the room and going over to the mini bar and pulling herself out a mineral water. She moved towards the chair in the corner of the room and pulled out the patient file she'd been working on. She closed her eyes for a moment thinking back to her dinner with Scott. 

''No, this isn't what's tearing me apart. It's knowing that her happiness lies in my hands.'' Scott's voice rang out in here mind. ''You see right now her future with Kevin is being ripped away with each minute I sit here doing nothing.'' ''How so?'' she'd asked. 

''He's dying...he's dying and there's not a damn thing anyone can do about it......well at least not anyone but me.'' Scott had explained. 

''How can you keep him from dying?'' ''By doing something that I don't want to do. As I mentioned previously it's a no win situation.'' Scott's answer rang through her ears. 

''So you're trying to put her happiness ahead of your own.'' Charlie finished taking in what he was saying. 

''Yes, but it goes beyond that. It's almost as if I have to make a deal with the devil and sell my soul before I can see to it that Lucy won't experience the kind of pain I have and even after the deal is done, there's still no guarantee that it won't fall apart......'' 

''Just what kind of deal to save Kevin's life were you talking about Scott and what in the world does it have to do with this case?'' Charlie questioned tapping the file folder on her lap as she looked at the phone. She shook her head after a moment realizing she needed to clear her head as she picked it up instantly dialing. ''Hey it's Charlie. Listen, I know it's really short notice, but I need to speak with you right away. Yeah, I've been thinking about our previous conversation and I think that maybe there's more than meets the eye here. Great.....okay, then I'll over shortly.'' Charlie hung up the phone and pulled out a photograph of Scott Baldwin she'd been sent less than a week ago. Holding it up in the air, she glanced over his features wondering just what might be lurking beyond the surface. 

''Tell me Scott,'' she began pressing her finger tip to the photo, ''what's so important that you are willing to risk it all for this case?'' 

---------- 

''Damn her!'' Scott cursed slamming the front door to the firehouse as he stepped inside. 

''Just who the hell does she think she is to just waltz in here like this and try to take over my case. Why if she hadn't have been a woman, then I swear I would've......'' Scott was cut off in his thought as the doorbell rang. He stood frozen for a moment feeling the bell cut through him like a knife as he tried to shake the anger raging from within. Turning to stare at the door, he realized his visitor wasn't about to give up. 

''What?'' He grumbled pulling open the door to find Eve standing before him. Instantly he stood taller and straightened up his composure. ''Eve......uh, hi. I wasn't expecting to see you here.'' ''I kind of figured.'' Eve replied taking note of his frazzled appearance as she looked over his shoulder. ''Do you have a minute?'' ''Oh well, I was kind of in the middle of something here,'' Scott began letting out a sigh before reluctantly opening the door, ''but sure come on in.'' ''Thanks Scott.'' Eve nodded stepping into the firehouse and looking around the place realizing how long it had been since she'd been there. ''Gee, it's quiet around here.'' ''Yeah well Serena is off with her grandparents for a while and we all know that Lucy isn't living here anymore so......'' Scott began shaking his head. ''Eve, what are you doing here? I thought you and Ramsey were going out of town for a while.'' ''Well we were out of town, but we decided that it was time to come back and face the music.'' Eve explained turning to face him. 

''So I take it you're clearer on things then?'' Scott questioned not quite clear on what she remembered. 

''Much clearer Scott.'' Eve nodded looking back at him before shaking her head. 

''Although while I'm gaining a much better focus on things that took place around here during the time after Lucy and Kevin's non-wedding, there's one small, little detail that I can't seem to get a grasp on.'' ''And what might that be?'' Scott asked closing the door and moving into the room. 

''Well for starters you could tell me why in the world you are representing Ryan Chamberlain.'' Eve replied crossing her arms in front of her chest. ''Well?'' 

''Eve where are you? I knew that I shouldn't have left you at the apartment like that.'' Chris muttered under his breath hanging up his cell phone as he impatiently waited for the officer to return with the final forms. He looked around the station tapping his foot anxiously wondering where Eve had drifted off to when he decided he couldn't wait any longer and darted off across the room in search of the officer. 

''Excuse me,'' a voice called out as Chris nearly ran someone down after he'd spotted the officer. 

''I'm terribly sorry that I....'' Chris began apologetically realizing he'd run into Tracie. 

''Tracie...hey.'' ''Chris,'' she replied a bit winded after he'd knocked into her, ''hi.'' ''Hi,'' Chris smiled at her taking a step back, ''wh-what are you doing here?'' ''I could ask you the same thing.'' Tracie replied returning the smile as she looked him over. ''I....I thought you were supposed to be out of town with Eve for a couple of days.'' ''Yeah well we were until someone called up at the cabin and we got word on a break in at my apartment.'' Chris explained looking her over. 

''Wow, I can't believe that I just ran into you like this. I mean when I found out about the break in I tried calling you myself after Alex and I saw the mess, but we thought maybe it would be best to let you take care of Eve.'' Tracie explained shaking her head. ''So how are you two doing?'' ''Oh we're good.'' Chris replied quickly feeling a twinge of guilt as he looked at her. ''I mean considering the circumstances surrounding this situation we're in.'' ''And Eve? How's she doing lately with the amnesia and all? It must be very hard for her with all this going on.'' Tracie continued uneasily meeting his gaze for a brief moment. 

''Actually she's taking this pretty well even after the amnesia left her. In fact she's more determined than ever to do all that she can to bring Ryan down after all he's done to everyone here in Port Charles. Why on the ride over, she was telling me that....well, never mind.'' Chris explained realizing that Eve was an uncomfortable subject between them. 

''Maybe we should change the subject for a while.'' ''No Chris, really it's okay. I'm truly happy for you and Eve. You wanted to be with her for a while and it's about time she woke up and saw what she had right in front of her.'' Tracie started thinking about what he'd said. ''Wait a second. Eve came back to town with you? Chris what were you thinking in bringing her back here now with the trial right around the corner?'' ''She wouldn't have it any other way Tracie. You know how Eve is when she has her mind set on something. There's no stopping her.'' Chris pointed out seriously. 

''Isn't that the truth?'' Tracie mumbled under her breath unable to believe she'd just let that one slip as Chris looked at her pretending that he hadn't heard her remark. 

''Well listen Tracie I hate to just run off like this, but I was in the middle of finishing up a report about the apartment, so I'd better find that officer I was talking to and finish up.'' Chris explained briefly feeling an uncomfortable silence fall between them. 

''Of course,'' Tracie nodded in response. ''You probably don't want to leave Eve alone too long with the way things have been lately.'' ''Tracie,'' Chris started unclear on what to say as he noticed the hurt in her eyes, ''I honestly never meant to hurt you.'' ''I know and Chris I'm sorry if I'm coming off as bitter right now. It's not you or our situation, I've just had a rough night and I was telling Alex that I just think this is all getting to me.'' Tracie explained shaking her head. ''In between this upcoming trial and the story I'm working on, it feels like I can't even think straight anymore.'' ''Alex....as in Alex Garcia?'' Chris questioned curiously dismissing the last part of her statement. ''So you've been spending some time with Port Charles Super Cop eh?'' ''What if I have been?'' Tracie replied curiously. ''Would it be so bad?'' ''Bad?'' Chris repeated shaking his head with a smile. ''Nah, but I'd watch myself around those law men. They have a habit of taking their jobs too seriously and before you know it, he'll be driving you crazy trying to solve the latest blunder the PCPD is responsible for.'' ''Hey you're not being fair.'' Tracie pointed out nudging him slightly, ''Just because Alex didn't like you doesn't mean that he's not capable of having a heart beneath that cool exterior.'' ''Yeah well if the man has one, then I'm sure you'll be the one who'll be able to find it.'' Chris pointed out with a smile. ''You seem to have a knack for those things.'' ''Do I?'' Tracie questioned softly. 

''Yeah, you always did.'' Chris added honestly as he noticed the officer he'd spoken with earlier returning to his desk. ''Well, it looks like that's my cue to get this business taken care of.'' ''You'd better take care of it then.'' Tracie replied checking the time. ''I have a thing to take care of anyways.'' ''A thing huh?'' Chris questioned with a knowing grin. ''It wouldn't happen to be one irritating police detective would it now?'' ''That Dr. Ramsey is none of your business.'' Tracie responded playfully. 

''Fair enough.'' Chris nodded with a soft laugh. ''Take care of yourself kiddo.'' ''Yeah you too.'' Tracie replied watching him take off across the police station. She stood there for a moment thinking about her brief time with Chris and a hint of sadness ran through her. 

''Ms. Richards,'' Officer Black called out to her interrupting her thoughts. 

''Yes?'' she questioned turning to face the officer. 

''I just wanted to let you know that Ryan Chamberlain is in the visitor's room waiting for you as you requested.'' the officer informed her. 

''Thank you,'' Tracie replied taking one last glance over at Chris before following the officer into the back. 

''Eve maybe you should take a moment and calm down before.....'' Scott began uneasily moving towards her. 

''No Scott, I'd like to know. What in the world could've possessed you to take this case?'' Eve questioned raising her voice. ''Please I'd really like to know.'' ''Eve look before you go off on why this isn't the right thing to do, I really think that you should know that I realize what defending him could do to.....'' Scott started seeing the anger in her face as she cut him off. 

''No Scott, I don't think you do realize what defending a man like Ryan could do.'' Eve answered sharply. ''Scott that man single-handedly destroyed so many lives, not to mention the fact that he nearly killed me and Kevin. From the moment he stepped into Kevin's shoes that man has done nothing, but wreaked havoc on everyone he's come into contact with and to hear that you have the audacity to actually consider defending him at this trial, it just makes my blood boil.'' ''Sometimes we lawyers aren't given a choice when we're assigned a case Eve.'' Scott shot back in his defense. ''Surely you of all people can understand that concept.'' ''Granted I understand that you were assigned this case, but Scott, given your personal involvement in all of this, how on earth could you consider?'' Eve questioned in astonishment. ''I mean I know sometimes you're stuck on a case Scott, but I'm sure if you explained to the judge the level of your involvement here, I know they'd let you off this case.'' ''It's not that simple Eve.'' Scott started as she moved towards him. 

''Sure it's that simple Scott. You just tell the judge that you're unable to represent that monster to the best of your ability because of all that damage he's inflicted on those you care about.'' Eve continued ranting as she moved around the room. ''No person in their right mind would force you to stay on this case Scott.'' ''Eve I'm not backing off of this case.'' Scott answered emotionlessly crossing his arms in front of his chest. ''I have no choice, but to see this through and there's nothing that you can do or say to persuade me otherwise.'' ''What is wrong with you Scott?'' Eve questioned shaking her head in disbelief. ''Don't tell me that Lucy walking out on you to go back to Kevin has made you so bitter that you're not thinking about the impact of what helping a man like this could have on you. Scott, I know that you're hurting, but to do something like this.....'' ''You don't know anything Eve.'' Scott snapped back at her angrily. 

''I know enough to see that you're upset about the turn of events around here, but Scott, can't you see that in helping Ryan it's only going to drive Lucy further away from you?'' Eve questioned watching him move away from her. ''Scott I know what it's like when you're dealing with a heartbreak, but burying yourself into this case is not the answer.'' ''Eve you have no idea what I have to deal with right now, nor will you ever understand the clarity I have about defending Ryan.'' Scott remarked turning around to face her with an icy stare. ''Yes I realize what that bastard did to you and Kevin and there's not a moment that goes by that I don't think about how he's hurt Lucy and how I just want to rip his head off and tear him apart limb by limb, but I don't have a choice about this.'' ''Scott you always have a choice.'' Eve pointed out voicing her opinion clearly. 

''Not this time I don't!'' Scott snapped at her in a rage unable to contain himself as she looked at him in confusion. Shaking his head, he moved towards the front door opening it with shaky hands. ''Eve, I think you'd better leave now before I do or say something that both of us are going to regret later on down the road.'' ''Scott, I just don't understand.'' Eve began softly watching him struggling with his emotions before her. 

''Well maybe you're just not meant to Eve.'' Scott answered opening the door wider as he cast a glance over at her. ''Sometimes in life we do things and there aren't any answers for them.'' ''But.....'' Eve started noticing the twisted expression on his features as she gave up and moved towards the door. ''Scott whatever your reasoning is behind this, I just don't want to see you go down in all of this and despite all our history, I still think of you as a friend and I just pray you're not doing this out of some sort of spite.'' ''It's not about spite Eve.'' Scott remarked pressing his head up against the door unable to meet her stare. 

''Then what is it?'' Eve questioned looking him over for a moment. 

''It's complicated.'' Scott replied looking at her for a brief second. 

''I see,'' Eve nodded sensing there was more to the story than she was being told as she stepped out on the firehouse looking back at him one last time, ''well, I hope in the long run this case is worth the consequences.'' ''Yeah so do I.'' Scott whispered closing the door behind her and leaning up against the wall in frustration. 
 
 

''I knew that I could count on you to be here Tracie.'' Ryan smiled watching her enter the visitor's room. Holding up a stale doughnut towards her, he nodded. ''Look they even thought to give us snacks and refreshments this time around. Must be one of the perks of being on good behavior around here.'' ''What did you want Ryan?'' Tracie questioned reluctantly moving towards him. 

''Why don't you take a seat?'' Ryan suggested taking note of her hesitance in coming closer. ''I'm not going to bite.'' ''I'm not here to play games with you Ryan.'' Tracie pointed out firmly taking a seat across from him at the table. 

''I don't doubt that Tracie and I didn't call you here to play games with me.'' Ryan explained with a smile reaching out across the table to take her hand for a moment before she abruptly pulled away. ''What? You don't like my company?'' ''Ryan, I can't stand the sight of you.'' Tracie shot back in irritation. 

''Now Tracie, I thought we'd worked past that point with one another the last time we were together.'' Ryan sighed leaning back in his chair. ''Don't tell me that each time we see one another that we're going to have to rebuild up from square one over and over again.'' ''What do you want from me Ryan?'' Tracie questioned glaring at him. 

''Oh Tracie, would you quit being so uptight about this?'' Ryan asked disapprovingly. 

''You know our relationship would be so much easier if you would just allow yourself to get over this animosity you've somehow built up against me and you just started seeing me for what I really am.'' ''And what is that?'' Tracie questioned raising an eyebrow. 

''Why I'm merely a friend. That's all.'' Ryan answered innocently. 

''Not a friend of mine.'' Tracie shot back stiffening at the thought. 

''Now Tracie, why are you so reluctant to let me in on your life?'' Ryan questioned shaking his head poignantly. ''I really wish you'd get over your holier than thou routine for at least a little while, because I'm sure if you did, you might discover that the two of us actually have quite a bit in common seeing as we both have our colorful histories and all.'' ''Ryan just because you believe you have a little insight on a small incident in my past, it doesn't make us comrades, friends or anything along those lines.'' Tracie replied pointedly glaring at him. 

''I can see this getting through to you isn't going to be easy, is it?'' Ryan questioned shaking his head. 

''You won't ever get through to me Ryan and I won't see things your way because you are a psychopath. Do you hear me?'' Tracie shot back bitterly glaring at him. ''I'm nothing like you and I never will be.'' ''That's where you're wrong Tracie. You and I both know what it's like to have love and lost.'' Ryan explained meeting her gaze. ''We both know what the sting of betrayal feels like and the hurt it brings.'' ''I'm not going to listen to this anymore.'' Tracie began standing up from her seat. 

''Sit down Tracie.'' Ryan snapped watching her turn to leave. ''You're not going to just walk out of here like this on me.'' ''And who's going to stop me? You?'' Tracie questioned with a laugh. ''Oh Ryan if you think you've got something on me, you'd better think twice because I'm not going to let you manipulate me like you were hoping to be able to.'' ''Is that what you thought this was all about? Manipulation?'' Ryan questioned shaking his head. ''You really take all those stories you heard about me to heart don't you?'' ''I'm leaving.'' Tracie announced turning back towards the door. 

''Fine, but answer me this Tracie.'' Ryan called out to her. ''When you found out about Chris, did it feel like it did with your late husband when you discovered the truth?'' ''Shut up!'' Tracie snapped at him angrily. 

''I just wanted to know Tracie.'' Ryan replied shrugging his shoulders. ''I've always been a bit curious about the Mancusi family and their means of revenge upon people and I have to admit that while you seemed like the straightest one of the bunch, you're skeletons are just as deep if not deeper than the others. It's nothing to be ashamed of really....'' ''Stop this!'' Tracie warned glaring at him. ''You have no idea what you're getting yourself into.'' ''Oh on the contrary I know exactly what I'm getting myself into with this conversation and I have to admit that you're probably one of the most intriguing women I've ever encountered in my life Tracie.'' Ryan answered with a twisted smile. ''Why if we'd met at another time and another place, I think we could have had a very interesting union with one another. Come to think of it, if I were Chris, I definitely would've chosen you over Eve in a heartbeat because while Eve was fun for a while, predictability took over and she slowly lost her charm. You on the other hand, well, you just have a way to keep a man guessing and I find that to be a rather admirable quality in a woman. Poor Clint Richards.....he just had no idea of what he had before him, but then again he never really saw you as a person did he? You were more like a possession to him, weren't you?'' ''What do you want?'' Tracie questioned clenching her fists tightly. 

''What everyone else wants Tracie.'' Ryan explained softly leaning back a bit. ''You know the typical American dream: a house, a car, a couple of kids running around, maybe a dog...the usual.'' ''Ryan we both know that's not going to happen for you.'' Tracie pointed out unable to break the stare between them. ''It's impossible.'' ''Ah, not impossible.'' Ryan corrected her shaking his head. ''Nothing is ever impossible if you want it bad enough and believe me Tracie I want it so bad that I can taste it. It's so close within my grasp and someday I'd like to be given the chance that was ripped away from me at such a young age. Is happiness too much to ask for?'' ''Generally we give what we get in life.'' Tracie remarked pointedly. 

''We give what we get. I like that. I think it works rather well in our situations. Wouldn't you agree?'' Ryan repeated with a nod and a smirk as he took note of her silence. ''Don't worry thought Tracie because I'm going to see to it that both of our futures look bright and clear and with a little bit of your help, I know we'll both get everything we've ever wanted.'' 

After Eve left the firehouse, Scott headed on over to the lighthouse wondering if perhaps Victor could help him come to terms with what was taking place. He thought about how he'd been blasted by Eve for taking the case and could only imagine what Lucy's reaction to things would be once she discovered the truth. 

''That's if I'm able to even take this case.'' Scott muttered to himself pulling up in the drive at the lighthouse. He wasn't quite sure how talking to Victor was going to make things clearer, but for some reason, he just felt Victor could come up with some insight on the situation with Ryan and perhaps make sense of this. 

''This is crazy.'' Scott thought to himself walking up to the door and ringing the bell. He waited for a moment anxiously anticipating an answer when suddenly it dawned in on him that Kevin and Lucy could be there and then how would he explain things to them. 

Suddenly losing the nerve, Scott turned around realizing he wasn't ready to face Lucy and Kevin just yet when he heard the door opening behind him. 

''Scott?'' Victor's voice called out to him in confusion. 

''Hey Victor, I thought everyone was gone.'' Scott replied turning around to face him. 

''Not everyone.'' Victor explained opening the door further. ''Monk and Lucy aren't around, but if you'd like to leave some kind of message....'' ''Actually, I came here to see you or all people.'' Scott explained clearing his throat as he shifted around on the porch. ''Can I come in?'' ''But of course.'' Victor replied shaking his head and allowing Scott inside the lighthouse. 

''You know I wasn't really expecting company here this afternoon so I didn't bother with cleaning up the place like Monk usually does when he's here, but.....'' ''Victor it's fine.'' Scott cut him off noticing a few of Lucy's suitcases around the room. ''I, um, well I came here today to talk to you about something pretty serious.'' ''I can see that by the look on your face Scott and I can tell whatever it is, it must be pretty important for you to come over here like this.'' Victor noted nodding for Scott to take a seat. 

''Yeah well, you see I've been wrestling with this idea in my head for a while and as I'm sure you know, I've been working on Ryan's case lately and.....'' Scott began hearing the kitchen door open up. 

''Victor, I finally figured out that stove top after working on the tea and it should be ready in a couple of minutes.'' a voice called out stopping Scott mid-sentence as he turned around to see Charlie standing behind him. 

''You!'' He snapped angrily getting up from his seat. 

''I take it you two know one another.'' Victor commented watching the exchange between Scott and Charlie. 

''We've crossed paths recently.'' Charlie responded locking gazes with Scott. 

''Oh you could say that again.'' Scott remarked bitterly turning to Victor. ''Tell me what is she doing here?'' ''Why Charlotte is.....'' Victor began as Scott spun around to glare at Charlie. 

''On second thought, I don't care what reason she had for coming here.'' Scott replied shaking his finger at Charlie. ''Now you listen here. I don't know what your game is or what you're trying to prove in this town, but I'll have you know that I will not under any circumstances sit back and allow you to wreck everything that I've worked so hard for.'' ''Scott, I don't really think now is the place for......'' Charlie began with a forced grin. 

''Don't you tell me when and where I have a right to be upset with you.'' Scott snapped back at her angrily. 

''I'm sure if we all just take a seat and have some tea, we can come up with some type of solution to whatever this conflict it is that the two of you apparently have with one another.'' Victor suggested sensing Scott's rage. 

''Save it Victor! Scott Baldwin isn't the type of man to sit back and think things through rationally.'' Charlie added with a hint of anger placing her hands on her hips. ''He'd prefer more juvenile methods of working out his frustrations so there's no point in talking when he'd rather rant and rave like a child to get people to see things his way.'' ''What you think because you spend one night with me and read a few reports, you're an expert on me now?'' Scott questioned in disbelief fighting the urge to strangle the woman before him. 

''It doesn't take an expert to see how highly irrational of a person you are.'' Charlie answered coolly. 

''Yeah well, you just wait because when this is over, you're going to regret messing with me in the first place.'' Scott snapped back at her before turning to Victor. ''We'll talk some other time.'' ''Scott are you sure that you don't want to......'' Victor started watching Scott dart across the room slamming the door shut behind him as he exited the lighthouse. A bit puzzled, Victor turned to Charlie. ''What was that all about?'' 
 
 

"Charlotte, would you care to explain just what exactly had taken place here earlier between you and Scott?" Victor questioned still trying to make sense of Scott’s hasty retreat hours before. 

"Not really," Charlie shrugged taking a seat in the chair across from Victor. She looked up at him feeling his penetrating stare and she let out a sigh. "Victor it’s not worth getting into right now considering everything else you have weighing on your mind. Besides I didn’t come over here to see you just so that we could discuss business this afternoon." 

"So this is work related isn’t it?" Victor questioned raising an eyebrow curiously. "This has to do with him being assigned to the defense in Ryan’s case doesn’t it?" 

"Victor you and I both know that man has no business representing Ryan." Charlie pointed out crossing her arms in front of her chest. "I just don’t think he’s qualified for the job." 

"Charlotte granted Scott is a bit hot headed at times, but I hardly consider that as a strike against him in this scenario." Victor replied noticing the frown on her face. "Now Charlotte really, don’t tell me that you’re ready to throw Scott off this case." 

"Victor we both agreed that Ryan needed help and that’s exactly what I intend on having for him. With Scott Baldwin on this case, then there’s a strong chance that Ryan will be sent off to a maximum security prison where he won’t get the necessary treatment for rehabilitation." Charlie explained shaking her head at the thought. "I won’t allow him to be pushed aside as one of society’s little mix-ups without anyone to try to get through to him." 

"I’m just not so sure that rehabilitation is possible for Ryan." Victor sighed staring off into space. "So many people have tried to reach out to him and failed in the past. It’s almost as if Ryan is beyond any type of feasible rehabilitation." 

"That may be true Victor, but they weren’t me and they weren’t willing to give this their all." Charlie replied confidently turning to him. "If all goes well during this trial, I guarantee that Ryan will get the help he so desperately needs and I will personally oversee every aspect of his treatment down to the very last detail." 

"I still don’t understand Charlotte." Victor began looking at her for a moment. "Why would you come all this way and take this time out of your busy schedule to come here to Port Charles and work with Ryan like this?" 

"Because Victor you and Kevin are like family to me." Charlie replied reaching across the side of her chair to take his hand in hers and give it a squeeze. "The two of you both shared an important role in my life growing up after my mother passed away and that helped me become who I am today and if I can do anything to help you, then I will." 

"Charlotte I appreciate that, but your mother would be turning in her grave if she was aware of the situation you were putting yourself into. Dealing with Ryan is not as simple as it may seem on the surface." Victor began with concern looking back at her. "Ryan’s personality and lifestyle is dramatically different than Monk’s ever was. While he and Kevin may be identical on the outside, they’re as different as night and day when you dig deeper." 

"I’m fully aware of that Victor and I didn’t come into this blindly." Charlie responded with a soft grin. "Believe me Victor I know you still see me as that little girl with freckles and braces, but I’ve come a long way and my qualifications are there to prove it." 

"I understand that Charlotte and I can see you’ve turned into a fine young woman, but in dealing with my son you’re going to face quite a challenge." Victor explained not willing to sugar coat anything. 

"I know what I’m up against Victor and I’m ready to dive into this completely starting with getting Scott Baldwin off of this case as soon as possible." Charlie explained boldly sitting up straighter. "That man is going to be nothing but trouble for Ryan’s future." 

"Now Charlotte really, I don’t think this idea of yours about Scott is worth getting so upset over." Victor began after a moment’s pause. "Granted Scott may seem like many things, but when it gets to doing his job, he does it with conviction and he has a sense of fairness about him when he dives into a case. I have no doubt in my mind about his abilities and if the courts feel that Scott is best suited for Ryan’s case, then who am I to object?" 

"Yeah well we’ll have to wait and see what the courts have to say about Scott’s abilities after Thursday." Charlie added smugly sipping her tea from the mug it was in. 

"What is that supposed to mean?" Victor questioned curiously. 

"On Thursday I’m meeting with Judge Wilson to determine if Scott Baldwin will be able to take on this case without letting his personal feelings get in the way after all, thus providing Ryan with a flawed defense." Charlie explained running through it all in her mind. "Hopefully the judge will agree with me on this one." 

"Don’t you think that’s a little much Charlotte?" Victor asked watching her expressions. "I mean you’ve been here less than a week and you’re all ready to attack Scott full force. 

This wouldn’t have anything to do with you two spending the night together, now would it?" 

"It’s not what you’re thinking Victor." Charlie responded taking note of the inquisitive look on his face. "It’s not." 

"Then what is it Charlotte?" Victor questioned trying to see through the grimace on her face. "Well?" 

"We sort of had an encounter with one another on my first day in town. That’s all." Charlie explained looking away. 

"And he ended up spending the night with you?" Victor asked digging for details. "How is that possible when on the surface you despise the man?" 

"He was anything but sedate at the time I found him Victor." Charlie answered abruptly facing him once more. "I was curious to see what kind of man was representing Ryan, so I had a lead on where to find him and when I finally did, he was a drunken mess and we ended up having dinner together in my attempt to sober him up." 

"So let me get this straight. You took it upon yourself to locate Scott before doing anything else here in Port Charles for the sake of this case of course, then you two have dinner together despite the fact you claim he was drinking heavily and ultimately the two of you spend the night together?" Victor questioned raising an eyebrow. "Sounds like more than just business to me." 

"Victor he was making a scene at the restaurant and I didn’t want to see him hurt anyone or himself at that point in time," Charlie pointed out remembering her dinner with Scott. 

"He was a complete mess." 

"Yet you were compelled to take him back to your room?" Victor replied shaking his head. "That sounds a little strange to me." 

"Well strange as it may be, I didn’t want him to be a menace to society. He needed to sleep it off before he wound up doing something horrible to himself or anyone else." Charlie answered standing up from the couch. 

"So you thought he should sleep it off in your room huh?" Victor noted watching her cheeks grow flushed with something he couldn’t quite pinpoint as anger or embarrassment. 

"I did what I thought was best given the situation as I will continue to do on Thursday when my meeting with Judge Wilson comes up." Charlie replied quickly walking towards the kitchen. "I’m getting myself some more tea, would you care for a refill?" 

"No I’m all set." Victor replied watching her disappear into the kitchen as he shook his head in disbelief. "All business huh? Yeah right." 

"Doc, are you sure that you want to do this?" Lucy questioned as they stood outside the lighthouse on the front step. "I mean maybe we could take our time and break the news to Victor gently after all you two have been away from one another so long that maybe you both should just concentrate on having this time to build on that together." 

"Lucy I don’t want to put it off any longer." Kevin explained reaching out to her taking her hand in his. "Think about your own reaction to this when you found out that I hadn’t told you sooner about my condition. You can’t tell me that when it finally sank in, you weren’t feeling even the slightest bit betrayed by my trying to hide the truth from you." 

"Yes Kevin it hurt me that you weren’t straight with me about this from the beginning, but I understood why you chose to do what you did and now that I know we’re not going to waste any more time together and I see just how precious our moments we have together are....." Lucy began seeing the determination in his eyes. "You’re really going to go through with this aren’t you?" 

"I don’t see any other choice Lucy." Kevin replied with a sigh pulling her into a hug. "I just thank God that you’re here with me to do this otherwise I don’t know how I’d be able to pull this off." 

"Doc, I’m never going to leave your side through any of this and I promise you every step of the way, you’re going to have me pushing you on further because together we will fight this Doc." Lucy assured him hopefully. "We will find a way and we will overcome this together." 

"When I’m with you Lucy, it’s more reason for me to keep fighting this." Kevin replied touching her face softly as he lowered himself to kiss her sweet lips. "I love you." 

"I love you too Doc." Lucy replied squeezing his hand once more as they opened the front door to the lighthouse and stepped inside. 

"Victor oh Victor," Kevin called out stepping into the living room noticing it was empty. 

"Hmm....maybe he’s out." Lucy shrugged looking around the room. "You know he did always have a knack for taking off and doing things on his own when we was in the mood to go and have some fun. Now that I think about it maybe this is a sign that we should just take this time to think about us and what we’re going to say when the time comes for...." 

"Monk? Lucy?" Victor questioned coming out of the kitchen with a smile spread across his face. He rushed over to the two of them reaching out to hug Kevin. "Monk, it’s good to have you home, although I must admit from your tone earlier, I wasn’t anticipating your arrival for quite some time." 

"Yeah well Lucy and I decided that it would be best for us to come home." Kevin responded returning his father’s hug firmly. 

"Well, that’s wonderful news. Absolutely wonderful." Victor replied happy to have Kevin home as he turned to Lucy embracing her as well. "And you, it’s so wonderful to have you here as well. Just seeing the two of you together and happy is the one thing that I’d hoped for so long would happen again. Somehow I knew the two of you would find your way back to one another in the end." 

"Yeah Doc and I could never be separated for too long. What we have with one another even the cosmos couldn’t destroy." Lucy responded locking gazes with Kevin as she felt her eyes mist over. 

"It’s a good thing you two are back you know because Sigmund was getting a little restless searching the lighthouse for the two of you. Why just this morning alone, I was telling Mary that Sigmund was on another one of his pouting sprees moving around the lighthouse pecking away at the furniture and....." Victor started with a laugh as Kevin placed a hand on his shoulder. 

"Victor, there’s something Lucy and I need to talk to you about." Kevin began cutting him off not quite clear on any other way to approach the situation. 

"Well what is it son?" Victor questioned noticing the serious tone in Kevin’s voice. "Does this have to do with that phone call you made last night?" 

"Actually," Kevin started looking back over at Lucy for a moment before guiding Victor over towards the couch, "it does." 

"You did seem rather preoccupied when you called me last night and I’d wondered what was on your mind Monk, but you didn’t seem too eager to talk about whatever it was you were thinking about." Victor explained following Kevin’s lead towards the couch. 

"Well Lucy and I had been discussing this most of today and I realized that I couldn’t keep the truth from you any longer because that wasn’t fair to any of us...." Kevin started hearing the running water in the kitchen. "Victor you didn’t mention that you had company." 

"I was about to, but you said that you wanted to tell me something important, so..." Victor explained noticing the worried expression on Kevin’s face. 

"I can go talk to Mary for a little while." Lucy suggested with a nod moving towards the kitchen in order to give Kevin and Victor some privacy. 

"That would be fine and all Lucy," Victor began standing up and facing her, "if that were Mary in the kitchen." 

"What?" Lucy questioned turning around to face him a bit puzzled. "Victor, if that’s not Mary in there, then who is in the kitchen?" 

"Well, you see...." Victor started turning to Kevin. "Monk I have a bit of a surprise for you as well. I wasn’t even aware that she was in town until shortly after the two of us got off the phone with one another, but out of nowhere she just showed up on the lighthouse doorstep and the two of us have been talking about old times along with your brother’s case and......" 

"Victor I think those chocolate chip cookies you were making are almost finished in here, but I wasn’t quite sure where you wanted me to put them when they were ready to come out of the oven." Charlie called out entering the living room only to discover that she and Victor weren’t alone any longer. "Oh hello," 

"And who are you?" Lucy questioned crossing her arms in front of her chest as she noticed this auburn haired woman standing before her wearing Victor’s apron. 

"Who am I?" Charlie replied taking note of Lucy’s stance as she turned to Victor with questioning eyes. 

"I’d remember that voice anywhere. Charlie?" Kevin questioned getting up off of the couch and moving towards her with a smile spread across his lips. 

"Kevy?" Charlie replied turning to Kevin as her face lit up brightly. 

"Kevy?" Lucy repeated unimpressed with this woman’s reaction to seeing Kevin. 

"Charlie, how are you?" Kevin questioned shaking his head in disbelief as he pulled her into a hug. 

"I’m great Kevin." Charlie answered returning his hug enthusiastically unable to contain herself as she looked up at him. "How are you?" 

"Oh well, you know how things usually are for me." Kevin began pulling away from her to look at her. "It’s the same old...." 

".....same old." Charlie finished with a soft laugh shaking her head. "Kevin you look.....amazing." 

"And you are still the same old terrible liar you always were." Kevin noted with a grin. 

"So Charlie, what are you doing here?" 

"I was working in the big City for a while running my practice and out of nowhere a job opportunity came up here in Port Charles, so I took it, hopped the next flight out of town and here I am." Charlie explained with a smile. "Wow, just seeing you again like this, it brings back so many memories." 

"Yeah it does," Kevin nodded in agreement feeling Lucy tug on his arm as he turned to face her. "Oh, um, Charlie this is Lucy Coe. Lucy this is Charlie Dubois, we grew up together in England." 

"I see," Lucy nodded her eyes narrowing at the woman standing before her. 

"It’s a pleasure to finally meet you Lucy. Why Victor was just filling my head with wonderful stories about you all afternoon." Charlie smiled extending her hand out to Lucy’s. 

"Funny he never mentioned you before." Lucy replied meeting her hand and shaking it. 

"Well it’s been a while since Kevin and I have seen one another." Charlie explained turning her gaze back to Kevin. 

"That it has." Kevin nodded in agreement. "And to think after all these years, I’d walk home one day and find you standing in my living room." 

"I always told you I’d find you again Collins," Charlie replied with a smile looking around the room, "and look here I am." 

"That you are." Kevin smiled feeling Lucy link her arm in his protectively. "So really Charlie what brings you here?" 

"As I mentioned to Victor, I’ve taken an interest in your brother’s case." Charlie explained softly. "I read about the story around the time this job opportunity came up here in Port Charles and I remembered all the work you’d done in trying to locate Ryan. I thought that maybe the two of us could work on this together somewhere down the road." 

"Work on this together?" Kevin repeated blankly. 

"I don’t think so Chrissy." Lucy spoke up cutting into the conversation. 

"It’s Charlie." Charlie pointed out turning to Lucy. 

"Yeah whatever. Listen I know it’s been a while since you and Kevin have seen each other obviously, but if you’d turn on a television you’d see that part of the reason Ryan is behind bars right now, where he truly belongs I might add, is because he tried to kill Doc here and the last thing that Doc needs is for you or anyone else taking him near that madman." Lucy interrupted boldly raising her voice a bit before tightening her hold on Kevin. "He’s not going anywhere near Ryan." 

"Lucy I don’t think Charlie meant anything by the suggestion." Kevin began in Charlie’s defense sensing the anger in Lucy’s voice. "It’s been a while since Charlie and I have spoken to one another, so naturally she knew that finding Ryan and helping him had played a great importance in my life not so long ago." 

"Well you found him and he’s beyond help at this point." Lucy added firmly glaring at Charlie. 

"Kevin I know that you have just been through a painful ordeal, but I think that together we could help Ryan to become......" Charlie started to explain. 

"Charlie, listen I appreciate what you’re doing for my brother...truly I do, but Lucy’s right, a lot has changed over the years." Kevin interrupted taking a breath. "I don’t doubt your desire to want to help Ryan and quite honestly I think that’s exactly what he needs right now, but to throw me into the mix at this point in my life would only be disastrous and the best thing I can do for myself and for Ryan is to just stay away." 

"I see," Charlie nodded glancing over at Victor, "well, I hope this doesn’t change your enthusiasm about having me in town." 

"Are you kidding? It would take a whole lot more than you taking on my brother as a patient to make me change my mind about you." Kevin smiled in response trying to break the tension in the air. "So tell me where are you staying?" 

"The Port Charles hotel." Charlie replied with a smile letting out a grateful sigh. 

"The Port Charles hotel huh?" Kevin repeated scratching his head. "That’s always an interesting place." 

"Tell me about it," Charlie started as Kevin nodded for her to sit down. 

"Yeah well speaking of the Port Charles hotel I was telling Charlie that Lucy is quite good at finding quality real estate around here." Victor began breaking his silence as Lucy watched Charlie interact with Kevin. "Why if you need to find a place, then Lucy is the person to help you out. She knows just about everyone and everywhere to be around here." 

"Well I’m always open to any help in searching for a home in these parts." Charlie smiled turning back to Lucy, who forced a grin before taking her place aside of Kevin. 

"Well I can think of a couple of openings over on Baker’s street right at this very time that you might find to be accomidating," Lucy answered with a saccharine sweet smile before noticing the glare Kevin gave her, "but other than that I’m sure we could find something for you." 

"That would be great." Charlie replied turning to Kevin with a smile, "Remember the last time you and I went apartment shopping?" 

"How can I forget? We ended up in the townhouse from hell." Kevin chuckled at the memory. "Of course I could never forget how that man tried to charge you extra hoping to convince us that whole in the roof was just an added perk as he described it as...." 

".......a sun roof." Charlie finished with a laugh placing her hand on Kevin’s shoulder. "Oh those were the days." 

"Indeed they were." Kevin nodded in agreement. 

"Well remember the time that you first came to town and you were house hunting." Lucy began breaking into the conversation. "That was an interesting story in itself Doc." 

"Of course once I’d located this place, you were trying to convince me not to buy it because of it’s history." Kevin reminded her. 

"Yes, but looking back, this turned out to be a wonderful place for us and we have so many wonderful memories here together." Lucy smiled reaching out to his hand and giving it a squeeze. 

"Yes we do Lucy." Kevin smiled reaching out to touch her face softly as Lucy shot Charlie a glare. 

"Victor was telling me you had a duck pond out back." Charlie spoke up interrupting their moment. 

"It is quite lovely." Victor added with a smile. "Especially this time of year." 

"I’d love to see it some time." Charlie replied brightly. 

"Well, it’s off limits right now." Lucy answered coolly. "Sigmund, that’s our baby, he doesn’t like company when he’s spending quality time with his family." 

"Nonsense Lucy, Charlie is more than welcome to go out back and see our duck pond." Kevin spoke up puzzled by Lucy’s strange behavior. 

"I think it would just be better if she came back at another less emotional time for Sigmund. He’s been through so much lately and the last thing he needs is to have strangers trampling around the duck pond invading his private space." 

"I’m sure he’ll be fine Lucy." Kevin replied trying to suppress the reaction building up inside of him as he turned to Charlie. "Come on. I’ll show it to you." 

Scott Baldwin entered the cemetery feeling the summer chill in the air as he approached her grave site. Feeling his shaky hands holding the flowers, he knelt before the head stone placing the flowers on the green earth below. 

"Dom, I brought you a little something," he began with tears in his eyes scattering the flowers around, "I thought we could both use a little pick me up right now and when I passed by the vender on the road side, I couldn’t help but stop because I knew how much you loved these things. God how I miss you." He reached out to the head stone pressing his fingers up against the cool rock as a tear escaped his eyes. 

"You know I was thinking about you just the other day. Come to tell you, the truth is I’ve been thinking about you a lot more lately and as time goes on, I can’t help but miss you more and more each day." Scott explained honestly his voice full of emotion as he choked on his words. "You know each day I see a little more of you in Serena between her generosity and her smile. She has that twinkle in her eyes that you do and every time I hear her laughter a part of you fills the air surrounding me. She’s such a wonderful little girl Dominique and I just wish you’d had the opportunity to share in her growing up with me." 

"Oh what am I saying, of course you’re sharing in her growing up, since I know you’re looking down at the heavens keeping an eye on the both of us all the time." Scott continued looking up at the blue sky overhead as another tear escaped his eye. "You always knew the right thing to do or say and Dom, I’ve gotta tell you, I need you now more than I’ve probably ever needed you in my life. Things have just gotten so complicated and I don’t even know which way is up or down anymore." Scott hung his head down and closed his eyes for a moment feeling the hot tears burning his face as he cried out despite all his efforts to fight it. 

"I tried so hard Dom, I really tried to move forward and not let this get the best of me, but here I am making a disaster of everything and I don’t know how to stop the madness my life is becoming. If you were here, I just know that things wouldn’t be so hard for me and I know with your guidance, I’d be able to make the right choice about things." Scott spoke softly reopening his eyes and looking at the flowers before him. "Dom, I tried so hard to push my feelings about everything aside. All I ever wanted was to see Lucy happy after everything that she’s done for us by giving us Serena, but it’s been so difficult. She’s been through so much pain and now when I’m so close to seeing that she won’t be hurt again, that chance to help her is being taken away from me." Scott paused feeling the wind press upon his dampened skin as he held one of the flowers running his thumb and forefinger across the petal. 

"Dom, I know what it’s like to lose someone you love and even though they say you can never truly lose someone after you’ve loved them and had them in your life, it doesn’t take the sting away. While I wanted to be with Lucy for a while once I thought we could have a future together, that doesn’t compare to the love she has for Kevin and how this is going to devastate her. What they have Dominique, it’s so much like what we had together and even though part of me never wanted to admit to it, she loves him with her whole heart and then to have him ripped away from her by this....." Scott trailed off tearfully feeling his eyes burning. "She should never have to experience what I went through when I lost you Dominique. That kind of pain it never fully goes away and that kind of love, it’s priceless and once you find it, you can never fully experience it again despite the efforts you force yourself to make moving on. I know when you left me that I promised you that I would try to find love again Dominique, but no matter how hard I try, nothing could ever come close to what I felt for you. I love you with all of my heart, mind and soul. I need you now. I need you to help me get through this and be strong despite all the challenges that are going to be thrown my way once this gets out." 

"Lucy is going to hate me because she isn’t going to understand why I must do this and Eve, oh she was furious at the thought of me supporting someone as volatile as Ryan Chamberlain, but we both know that’s nothing in comparison to the fury and betrayal Lucy is going to feel knowing that I’m sinking into this case. She’ll never know that I’m doing this to protect her from the pain she’d feel if she lost Kevin and I don’t ever want her to know, that’s if I even get to follow through on my deal with him." Scott explained thinking back to his confrontation with Charlie. "Dom, there’s this woman who’s opposing me on this case and oh does she drive me crazy. I literally had to hold myself back from attacking her when I ran into her over at the lighthouse, but suprisingly I had some restraint, which is probably in part due to you looking out for me. She’s going to make things difficult for me Dominique and having her around is proving to be a road block in my helping Lucy and Kevin and to be honest with you, I don’t know how this is going to turn out and that worries me. I don’t want to let her go through the heart wrenching experience that you and I went through when I lost you Dom, but if things keep up at this rate, I don’t know what’s going to happen and that if my deepest fear....that I’ll have all the answers right within my grasp only to have them ripped away from me. Dom, I’ve gotta tell you, if Kevin dies, I know I won’t be able to live with myself knowing that I could’ve prevented this if only I’d pushed myself further. If only I’d given that extra effort...." 

"Dom, I need you right now and I hope more than anything that you’re listening to me where ever you are." Scott finished tearfully pressing his fingers up against her head stone once more. "I love you." 

"There you are," Kevin called out walking up to Lucy from behind and placing his arms on her shoulders as she stood outside in front of the duck pond watching Sigmund. "I’d wondered where you’d drifted off to." 

"I didn’t think you’d notice with Charlie being here and all." Lucy replied tossing out a few crackers to Sigmund as she watched him swim around gleefully splashing in the water. 

"You and Victor seemed to have your hands full, so I thought I’d just leave the three of you alone with that photo album." 

"Oh Lucy, now come on." Kevin urged wrapping his arms around her. "Where on earth did this sudden fit of jealousy come from? I don’t know whether to be outraged or flattered." 

"Doc it’s not funny." Lucy replied with a frown placing her hands on top of his. "I don’t like that woman one bit and the way she kept touching you like that. Always finding an excuse to put her hand on your shoulder or touch your knee....." 

"Lucy Coe, I can’t believe you’re letting the little green monster get the best of you." Kevin laughed unable to contain his amusement. "Of all the things you should be feeling right now, jealousy should be at the bottom of the list." 

"I’m not jealous. I just don’t like the way she was pawing at you and carrying on. Oh Kevin this.....oh Kevin that." Lucy began mocking her colorfully. "Oh Kevin remember the time I broke my nail and I cried on your shoulder begging you to fix it for me because I’d just fall apart if you weren’t there with me. Ah, I’m still stuck in the past, but those were the times, weren’t they?" 

"Lucy," Kevin chuckled feeling another fit of laughter escape his lips, "oh and to think that I almost didn’t get to come back to this." 

"To what?" Lucy questioned with a frown. 

"To you, to this. How I’ve missed this side of you." Kevin replied touching the side of her face lightly. "Lucy Coe, it never ceases to amaze me at how protective and territorial you are where I’m concerned." 

"Well, you’re my Doc and I don’t want some other woman trying to move in on you when you’re mine bub." Lucy pointed out with a pout. 

"Lucy, once again you underestimate my love for you," Kevin replied wiping a strand of hair from her eyes. "Don’t you know by now that you’re the only woman who could ever hold a place in my heart?" 

"You mean that Doc?" Lucy questioned with wide eyes. 

"Lucy with you in my life, there’s nothing else that matters to me as much as knowing that I have your love. Just being able to spend my days with you is more than I ever could’ve hoped for." Kevin answered embracing her. "Besides Charlie and I haven’t spoken in years and I’d hardly consider her arrival a sign of her showing any interest in me beyond anything platonic." 

"It was written all over her face Doc." Lucy insisted folding her arms. "She has a thing for you." 

"Well if you hadn’t noticed lately Lucy, I’m hardly in a position to have a roving eye given my current health situation just for starters." Kevin added honestly looking her over. 

"Plus the last thing I would be doing is even looking at another woman when I worked so hard fighting to get back to you." 

"But you two were lovers once and you can’t deny that connection there." Lucy added holding him tighter. 

"Why do you say that Lucy?" Kevin questioned glancing down at her. 

"A woman knows these type of things." Lucy explained knowingly watching his expression. 

"Lucy, it was a long time ago," Kevin admitted realizing she could see right through him, "it was more like a lifetime ago." 

"Maybe to you, but not to her." Lucy replied shaking her head. "You could see it in the way she talked and the way she looked at you. She’s still head over heels in love with you." 

"Lucy I don’t think you’re grasping what I’m telling you." Kevin began reaching out to her. 

"Regardless of my past with anyone else, my life didn’t truly begin until you walked into it." 

"You really mean that Doc?" Lucy questioned squeezing his hand. 

"With all of my heart Lucy," Kevin answered kissing her forehead lightly. "You don’t have a thing to worry about where my heart is concerned. I only have eyes for you." 

"I just want to know one thing." Lucy began holding him closer. 

"What’s that?" Kevin questioned curiously. 

"Who broke who’s heart?" Lucy asked softly. "Did you break her heart or did she break yours?" 

"Lucy, I can’t believe you’re doing this." Kevin remarked shaking his head in disbelief. 

"After everything you and I have been through together, I can’t believe something as trivial as this is getting to you." 

"I just need to know Doc," Lucy explained sensing his disapproval, "it’s just something that I want to know to clear my mind." 

"Fine," Kevin sighed giving in, "I ended things with her." 

"I knew it!" Lucy squealed waving her hands wildly in the air. "You know Doc, I could just see it in her face when she walked over to you. I could sense that she was here because you’d broken her heart and she was using this thing with Ryan as an excuse to...." 

"Lucy slow down!" Kevin instructed reaching out to her shoulders. "It was a long time ago and we ended as friends and remained that way for quite some time before we went our separate ways." 

"Friends huh?" Lucy questioned skeptically. 

"Yes friends," Kevin reassured her with a smile. 

"So you don’t think she’s here because she wants to find a way back into your life so that she can...." Lucy started opening her mouth wider. 

"No, that’s not why she’s here Lucy." Kevin cut her off with a smile. "You don’t have a thing to worry about." 

"I know," Lucy replied with a soft grin, "but you know me. I have to state my claim on you otherwise I wouldn’t be me." 

"I know that." Kevin nodded with a smile holding her close to him. "It’s part of what I love about you, you know that?" 

"I know," Lucy replied looking out at Sigmund playing in the water. "He looks so happy to be back home with his family again." 

"Yeah he does." Kevin noted watching Sigmund interacting with the geese in the water. 

"He’s overjoyed that he’s finally been given another chance at life with his family." 

"It means more to him than anything that he’s been allowed to have this time with them no matter how long that may be." Lucy added meeting his gaze realizing they weren’t talking about Sigmund any longer. "Doc," 

"Lucy, I’ve been thinking." Kevin began bringing his finger to her lips and cutting her off mid-sentence. "I know that things are going to be difficult for us as time goes on, but Lucy when I promised you that I was going to do all that I could to make all of your dreams come true, I meant that and I intend to follow through to the best of my ability." 

"Just being able to have you like this Doc is more than I could ever ask for." Lucy replied softly leaning into his touch. "I love you." 

"I love you too Lucy and that’s why I’ve come to a very important decision about us," Kevin explained gazing deep into her eyes, "For so many months we’d talked about what our future would be like growing old together with a family running around driving us crazy...." 

"....but we would’ve loved every minute of that craziness." Lucy added feeling her eyes mist over as he caressed her cheek. 

"You’re right Lucy. We would’ve cherished every moment of it," Kevin nodded in agreement feeling the softness of her skin on his finger tips, "which is why I’ve come to this conclusion. While I can’t give you everything that I’d promised, that doesn’t mean it’s going to stop me from giving you the one thing you’ve truly wanted all your life." 

"Doc, what are you saying?" Lucy questioned in confusion noticing the look of love wash over his features. 

"Lucy for so long you and I talked about the two of us having a family together and while I can’t promise you that I’ll be around to share in all the joys of parenthood with you, there’s nothing more that I’d rather do than for us to have a child together as a symbol of our never ending love for one another that is if you’re up for it." 

"Up for it?" Lucy repeated throwing her arms around his neck as tears flooded down her face. "Doc, there’s nothing I would like more than to have your baby...our baby."